How my experience of Diwali in Karachi took me to a city I never knew.

Karachi is often termed as a dull city, sometimes even dangerous. In a city of 20 odd million, there is a dearth of public spaces and limited avenues for cultural activities.

The much praised diversity has also come under scrutiny, with minorities migrating to greener pastures abroad and those staying back choosing to remain discreet.

The uncertain security situation restricts religious festivities of non-Muslims as well as the nurturing of our communities' collective imagination. Festivals come and go but they don’t manage to make headlines for the right reasons.

But anyone who has lived in Karachi for some time would know that the city opens up to its denizen gradually. There are pockets across the city that light up annually with festivities, religious and cultural, showing a fascinating side of the place that doesn't make the news.

Last week, my friend visiting from London asked me if I had any plans for Diwali.

I suggested we visit the Shri Swaminarayan temple, the biggest remaining Hindu temple in Karachi.

NEW FOREIGN INVESTMENT TO BOOST ECONOMY: MIFTAH ISMAIL.

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ISLAMABAD: Chairman Board of Investment Miftah Ismail Friday said foreign investment in auto sector would further boost the economy of the country.

Speaking in a TV programme, he said under new auto policy, the government intended to bring new foreign investment for car manufacturing as a French company is establishing its production unit in Karachi.

Initially, about $100 million would be invested by the company and it would have production capacity of upto 30000 cars in first phase, he said adding that the capacity would be increased to 50 thousand units.

With the launch of car models by new company, the customers would have more choice and reasonable price as well.

Miftah Ismail said many other companies of various countries are also taking interest to invest in auto sector of the country.

Beside new companies, current operating companies are also expanding their networks and their business is growing.

Financial matters: govt’s review petition dismissed.
                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the constitution bars prime minister from exercising his discretionary powers in financial matters without the approval of the federal cabinet. 

The top court of the country, on August 18, had struck down a notification for withdrawing exemption on sales tax to the companies, importing cellular phones and textile goods in the country. 

It is pertinent to mention that SRO 682(I)/2013 had enhanced sales tax from 5 to 17 per cent on supplies of industrial inputs outside five export-oriented sectors including textiles whereas SRO. No 280 (I)/2013 and 460(I)/2013 had enhanced sales tax on the imported cellular phones. 

Withdrawal and modification (in the rate) of sales tax were challenged in the Islamabad High Court with a plea that such notifications had not been issued by the federal government in accordance with Section 3 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. 

In response to the rejection of pleas by the IHC, the appellants challenged the verdict before Supreme Court to which the apex court on August 18, while announcing its 80-page reserved judgement, ruled that fiscal notification enhancing the levy of tax issued by the Secretary Revenue Division, or the Minister are ultra vires. 

The verdict also said, “Neither a Secretary, nor a Minister and nor the Prime Minister are the Federal Government and the exercise, or purported exercise, of a statutory power exercisable by the Federal Government by any of them, especially, in relation to fiscal matters, is constitutionally invalid and a nullity in the eyes of the law,” says the judgement. 

Consequently, the federal government urged the Supreme Court to revisit its verdict in the matter with a plea that a constitutionally powerful Prime Minister can exercise his powers to run the government affairs. 

Resuming the hearing of the federal government’s review petition in the matter, a three-judge bench led by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that Rules of Business cannot overrule constitutional provisions. 

After hearing the arguments of Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana in the matter, the bench dismissed the review petition. 

          PM’s son-in-law for broad based inquiry.                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ISLAMABAD: Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd), the son-in-law of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Friday filed Terms of Reference (ToRs) in Supreme Court for the proposed judicial commission that would hold a probe into the Panama leaks.

While resuming the Panama Leaks case in response to the pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and three other petitioners against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and family members for allegedly holding offshore companies, a five-member larger bench led by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali had asked all the parties to the case to submit ToRs for the proposed judicial commission. 

Filing the proposed ToRs, Safdar urged the proposed judicial commission to examine information pertaining to the involvement of Pakistani citizens, persons of Pakistan-origin and legal entities in offshore companies in Panama or any other country. 

He said the proposed judicial commission should determine in each case whether any law for the time being in force has been infringed, and if so, also determine responsibility for such infringement. 

“Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Commission shall determine whether the provisions of laws relating to income tax, wealth tax, foreign exchange, companies and elections in force at the relevant time have been infringed, with due regard infer-alia to the following matters, as may be applicable to each case:- (a) details of properties held by the off-shore companies; (b) sources of income utilized to purchase the properties in (a) above, (c) Income tax if any payable/paid on the income in (b) above; and (d) details of sellers of the properties in (a) above,” Safdar said. 

He also submitted, “to examine information relating to written-off bank loans, including:- (i) Report of the Commission on Written-off Loans set up by the Supreme Court of Pakistan; and (ii) other cases of bank loans written-off after the period covered by the said Commission by former or present holders of elective public office, and determine whether in any case loans were written-off through political influence or other than commercial considerations”. 

He further said the proposed judicial commission may examine the information relating to transfer from Pakistan of funds which have originated from corruption, commissions and kickbacks and identify the persons responsible besides making such recommendations as it may deem appropriate in all cases. 

Have received many marriage proposals: Bilawal Bhutto.

The young and single Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who recently returned from United Kingdom opened up on his marriage plans.

“I have received many marriage proposals but I have rejected all of them,” Express News quoted the bachelor as saying. He added that he will marry a girl of his sisters’ choice, “And the girl who my sisters choose will be lucky.”

Bilawal responds to those who ‘don’t appreciate’ his tears

Bilawal was addressing the media in Obaro, Sindh, where he further said that any girl who wishes to marry him will face difficulties.

Last week, Bilawal addressed his emotional press conference and people’s harsh reactions to it, saying he hopes his critics never experienced the pain he has experienced.

“To those who don’t appreciate my tears; I pray u never have to experience the pain I’ve experienced, I pray u never have to shed such tears,” he said in a tweet.

When Bilawal cried…

Bilawal broke down in tears as he spoke about his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, during a visit to inquire after injured victims of the police training centre attack in Quetta last month.

“My family and the people of Balochistan share the same pain… I am no ordinary politician. I am the son of Benazir Bhutto. I am also a victim of this terrorism,” he said.