Connect with us

Business

FBR ‘categorically denies’ news of tax exemption for import of bulletproof vehicles

Published

on

  • FBR says cabinet had allowed such facility in 2019 but no notification to this effect has been issued so far.
  • PM’s aide Salman Sufi says there is no question of allowing any duty-free imports to any official.
  • It was reported FBR has exempted senior army officers from all taxes on import of bulletproof vehicles.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday “categorically denied” issuance of any Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) that allows ex-military officers to import duty and tax-free bulletproof vehicles.

“FBR categorically denies reports appearing in some sections of media that it has issued an SRO allowing duty-free import of bulletproof vehicles,” the revenue board said in a brief statement.

The tax collection body added that the federal cabinet had allowed such a facility in 2019, however, no notification to this effect has been issued so far.

In a separate statement, PM’s aide Salman Sufi said that there is no question of allowing any duty-free imports to any official.

“Everyone shall pay their fair share of duty when importing any vehicle,” he tweeted.

It was earlier reported that after getting approval from the federal cabinet, the FBR exempted senior army officers from payment of all duties and taxes on the import of bulletproof vehicles of up to 6,000cc after their retirement and a notification will be issued soon.

The report said that the FBR’s Member Customs Policy signed an official notification to this effect on Friday but it was not yet placed on the official website.

However, top official sources confirmed to The News on Friday night that the exemption of Customs Duty, Sales Tax, Withholding Tax and Federal Excise Duty (FED) would be applicable on the import of bulletproof vehicles up to 6,000cc by retired military officials, including Lieutenant Generals, services chiefs, Chief of the Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

The sources confided to The News that the FBR might place the concerned notification on its website any time soon and that all formal requirements were fulfilled after seeking permission from the federal cabinet for allowing this kind of tax exemption.

However, there will be certain conditions attached to this permission. The FBR will allow the exemption of duties and taxes on the import of such vehicles by the said officials on their retirement on the recommendations of the Ministry of Defence.

All four-star generals are permitted to import two vehicles after retirement, according to the report.

The owners of the vehicles would be required to obtain the prior permission of the FBR for the sale of such vehicles after their import.

If the vehicle is disposed of before a five-year period, the FBR will recover all duties and taxes applicable at the time of import of such vehicles, it added.

Business

Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

Published

on

By

The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

Continue Reading

Business

Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

Published

on

By

Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

Continue Reading

Business

Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

Published

on

By

According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.

Continue Reading

Trending