The absence of appropriate funding has caused the 94 development projects that are presently under way in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be delayed. These projects are expected to cost approximately Rs. 911.5 billion in total.

These 94 projects were given a development budget of Rs. 49.74 billion for the current fiscal year. Nevertheless, just Rs. 6.29 billion has been made available for 42 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa projects.

Official documentation states that 15 NAH development projects are now without funding. Nine development projects from the Housing and Works Division, three schemes from the Establishment Division, and two uplift projects from the Communication Division have also been impacted.

Even though Rs. 300 million was allocated, no money has been found for a project to look for uranium reserves in Bannu and Kohat.

In the meantime, the Divisions of Information and Interior, Power, Revenue, Water Resources, and Science and Technology have all seen some setbacks.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan had previously made “significant” progress in their negotiations since the federal government would not propose a mini-budget.

“No mini-budget is anticipated, and Pakistan’s tax collection target of Rs 12.97 trillion will remain unchanged,” according to sources with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The IMF was pleased with the tax reforms the Pakistani government was implementing, they noted.

The general sales tax (GST) will not be applied to petroleum items by the FBR, according to sources.

The tax-to-GDP ratio has increased from 8.8% to 10.3%, according to FBR sources, and merchants have paid Rs 12 billion in taxes in just three months. The number of registered traders has grown from 200,000 to 600,000, and 400,000 additional traders have filed tax returns, they noted.

Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the CII, discussed his views on social issues, legal reforms, and VPN implementation.

According to Raghib Naeem, using a virtual private network (VPN) causes blasphemy, religious defamation, or the spread of disturbance, which makes it unlawful and un-Islamic.

He claimed that within certain bounds, Article 19 guarantees social peace, religious tolerance, and national integrity.

A query on the seminary registration issue was answered by the CII chairman, who stated that if there is proof of money laundering through madrassas, the management of those institutions will face legal action.

Additionally, he stated that it is unethical and illegal to exchange human baby milk.

Continue reading: Another declaration on VPN use from the Council of Islamic Ideology

In addition to suggesting legislation capping dowries at one tola (11.66 grams) of gold, Dr. Raghib Naeemi suggested moving the authorization for a second marriage from the wife to the Union Council.

Prior to this, the Council of Islamic Ideology stressed the significance of encouraging responsible digital citizenship and utilizing technology in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Though their use should be constructive and appropriate, VPNs are not intrinsically illegal, according to the Council of Islamic Ideology.

“Thoughts and ideas can be expressed effectively on social media for admirable ends. The statement said, “Muslims must adhere to Islamic teachings, utilizing social media to spread Islamic knowledge, education, and training.”

The Baldia factory fire case was being heard by the constitutional bench, which was presided over by Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha. The issue concerned the return of convicted criminal Hammad Siddiqui and other defendants to Pakistan for trial.

The extradition of Hammad Siddiqui was mandated by the court. Why had the defendants who killed 266 people not been repatriated to the nation? Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha said

The court also questioned who was giving the accused, who is facing grave accusations, a place to stay.

The constitutional bench of the SHC asked what steps were taken to comply with its orders and stated that it had also ordered the barring of Hamad Siddiqui’s passport and CNIC.

The court was informed by Sindh’s Assistant Advocate General that the federal government bears the responsibility for the accused’s return.

“It is the Ministry of Interior’s incompetence,” the court said.

More than 260 people were killed in a deadly industrial fire that occurred in Baldia Town, Karachi, on September 11, 2012.

The court has ruled that the defendants Khurram Nisar, Taqi Haider Shah, and Hammad Siddiqui’s passports and national identity cards be blocked.

On September 22, 2020, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) rendered a decision that sentenced Zubair, also known as Chariya, and Abdul Rehman, also known as Bhola, to death for their roles in the September 11, 2012, factory fire in Baldia Town, Karachi, which claimed the lives of over 260 people.

For their roles in the incident, the ATC sentenced four workers from the factory—Shahrukh, Fazal Ahmed, Arshad Mehmood, and Ali Mohammad—to life in prison. Accused Fazal Ahmed passed away while incarcerated.