فیچرڈ

  Three prisoners have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking relief similar to that granted to the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, regarding treatment at a private hospital. The petitions were filed before the Islamabad High Court, with the applicants requesting permission to be transferred from prison to a private medical facility for treatment. The prisoners have specifically asked the court to allow them to receive medical care at either Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital. The development comes amid continued legal discussions over the medical treatment of prisoners and the circumstances under which an inmate may be allowed to receive treatment outside a prison hospital or government medical facility. During the proceedings, the Islamabad High Court sought a response from the relevant prison authorities by August 27. The court has directed the jail administration to explain its position regarding the requests made by the three prisoners. The court also ordered the superintendent of Adiala Jail to submit the medical reports of the petitioners. These reports are expected to help the court assess the prisoners’ medical conditions and determine whether their requests for treatment at private hospitals have sufficient grounds. Justice Muhammad Asif issued a two-page written order in connection with the petitions. In the order, the court directed the relevant parties to submit para-wise comments before the next hearing. The applicants have argued that they require medical treatment that may not be adequately available within the prison system. Their petitions seek permission to be transferred to either Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam Hospital so that they can receive treatment from specialists and access facilities available at private medical institutions. The court has not yet issued a final decision on whether the prisoners will be allowed to move to a private hospital. Instead, it has sought medical documentation and responses from the prison authorities before considering the matter further. The medical reports from Adiala Jail will be particularly important in determining the nature and seriousness of the applicants’ health conditions. The court is expected to examine whether their medical needs justify treatment at a private hospital and whether such a transfer is appropriate under the applicable legal and prison regulations. The petitions also highlight broader questions concerning prisoners’ access to healthcare and the circumstances in which courts can intervene to ensure that inmates receive appropriate medical attention. The applicants’ request for relief similar to that provided to Imran Khan has placed the issue before the Islamabad High Court for judicial consideration. Their lawyers are seeking comparable treatment arrangements based on the medical needs of the petitioners. Under the court’s latest directions, the prison authorities are required to respond by August 27. The superintendent of Adiala Jail must also provide the petitioners’ medical reports, while all concerned parties have been asked to submit their detailed para-wise comments before the next hearing. Following the submission of these documents, the court will have an opportunity to review the medical evidence and the authorities’ position before deciding the applications. For now, the three prisoners remain in custody, and no final order allowing their transfer to a private hospital has been issued. The next hearing is expected to provide greater clarity on whether the applicants will be permitted to receive treatment at Shifa International Hospital or Quaid-e-Azam Hospital. The case could also become significant for future requests by prisoners seeking specialised medical treatment outside jail facilities, particularly where serious health concerns are raised and comparable relief has previously been granted in individual cases.

  Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new mechanism to speed up sales tax registration for low-risk applicants, allowing eligible and complete applications to be processed within three working days. The measure was announced through Sales Tax General Order No. 20 of 2026, issued by the Revenue Division on August 24, 2026. The order is aimed at making the registration process faster, more transparent and business-friendly while retaining safeguards against fraudulent or suspicious registrations. Under the new system, applications submitted through the FBR’s IRIS system will be assessed according to risk-based parameters. Applicants classified as low-risk through the computerized system will receive priority treatment, provided their applications contain all required information and documents. According to the order, the relevant Local Registration Office (LRO) will be required to complete the registration process for eligible low-risk applicants within three working days. Officials have been directed to avoid unnecessary delays in processing such applications. The FBR has also restricted registration offices from seeking additional documents from low-risk applicants unless those documents are specifically required under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, or are demanded by the computerized risk-management system. Another major feature of the new procedure is the introduction of pre-registration certification for manufacturers. Sector-specific trade associations operating under the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) will be able to certify the credentials of their member applicants before registration. The certification will cover key details including the applicant’s manufacturing activity, business premises and membership of the relevant trade association. However, the FBR has clarified that such certification is intended only as a facilitation measure and will not replace any legal or statutory requirement for sales tax registration. The new order also establishes clearer procedures for dealing with incomplete applications. If an application does not meet the required conditions, the applicant must be informed within seven days and provided with specific reasons for the objection. The FBR has prohibited registration officials from raising vague or generalized objections. This requirement is intended to provide applicants with greater clarity about deficiencies in their applications and allow them to address issues without unnecessary delays. For manufacturers, the order requires concerned LROs to conduct pre-physical verification under Rule 5(3) of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006 within three working days. Applications considered high-risk or suspicious, however, will remain subject to enhanced scrutiny and additional verification. The FBR said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to facilitate businesses, reduce administrative delays and encourage genuine manufacturers to enter the formal tax system. By involving recognized trade bodies in the initial verification process, the tax authority hopes to make better use of industry-level information while retaining the final decision-making authority with the relevant tax offices. The General Order has been circulated among all Chief Commissioners Inland Revenue, Commissioners, the Director General of IT and PRAL for immediate implementation. The FBR has also emphasized that classification as a low-risk applicant does not provide permanent immunity from scrutiny. If false information, misrepresentation or fraudulent documentation is discovered at a later stage, the applicant may still face subsequent verification and action under the applicable law. The new framework is therefore designed to combine faster registration for legitimate businesses with continued monitoring of applicants who may pose tax or compliance risks.

  LAHORE: Former caretaker federal minister and prominent industrialist Dr. Gohar Ijaz has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s economic direction, warning that growing bank deposits alongside declining industrial activity indicate that capital is moving away from productive sectors.   Speaking to *Minute Mirror*, Ijaz said bank deposits had increased from around Rs. 21 trillion three years ago to Rs. 38 trillion, describing the trend as evidence that people were increasingly choosing to keep their money in banks rather than invest in businesses. He argued that excessive taxation was making industrial activity increasingly difficult. According to Ijaz, an effective tax burden of around 45 percent has discouraged investors and forced several businesses to reduce operations or shut down. “Three years ago, Rs. 21 trillion was lying in banks. Today, it has increased to Rs. 38 trillion,” Ijaz said, arguing that the country needed to encourage investment in manufacturing, exports and employment instead of allowing capital to remain parked in financial institutions. He also claimed that Pakistan could address a significant portion of its external debt if the textile industry received appropriate policy support. Ijaz said the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) had been offering for years to help generate enough foreign exchange for Pakistan to repay $10 billion in debt within one year. According to him, the proposal would require measures such as competitive energy prices, rational taxation, export incentives and a stable policy environment. He maintained that Pakistan’s industrial sector had the capacity to significantly strengthen the country’s foreign exchange position if its competitiveness was restored. Ijaz also criticised what he described as policy distortions in the sugar sector. He alleged that sugar mill-owning families had benefited from additional profits of approximately Rs. 30 billion per month due to pricing mechanisms, subsidies and regulatory decisions. He did not present documentary evidence for the figure during the interview but argued that government policies should prioritize consumers, industrial growth and the national economy rather than benefiting a limited number of influential groups. The former minister further commented on the current political and civil-military leadership, saying the Army and Prime Minister were receiving unprecedented recognition. He expressed optimism that stronger economic policies could enable Pakistan to overcome its financial challenges. Economists and business leaders have similarly pointed to high interest rates, expensive energy, inflation, taxation and policy uncertainty as major factors behind weak private investment. When bank returns appear more attractive and less risky than establishing or expanding businesses, capital can increasingly shift toward financial assets. Industry leaders have therefore called for lower and more predictable taxes, competitive electricity and gas tariffs, faster refunds, fewer ad-hoc duties and incentives for export-oriented manufacturing. Ijaz’s remarks highlight a broader challenge facing Pakistan: having substantial liquidity does not necessarily translate into economic productivity. For the country to generate employment, increase exports and strengthen its ability to repay external debt, more capital needs to flow into productive businesses. The central question, therefore, is whether future economic policies will encourage investment, manufacturing and exports or continue to make bank deposits more attractive than business expansion.

The government has increased the prices of petroleum products once again announcing new rates for petrol and high-speed diesel. The revised prices will remain effective for two days. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) revised petroleum prices under the pricing mechanism approved by the federal government. The price of high-speed diesel has increased by Rs1.11 per litre taking its new price to Rs371.80 per litre. Diesel was previously priced at Rs370.69 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of petrol has risen by Rs1.12 per litre. Following the latest increase petrol will now cost Rs343.10 per litre compared with the previous rate of Rs341.98 per litre. The latest increase comes as petroleum prices continue to put pressure on household budgets and transportation costs. Higher petrol and diesel prices can also affect the cost of transporting goods and may contribute to increases in the prices of essential commodities. The government has issued the latest notification for only two days. Petroleum prices could therefore be reviewed again after the current period depending on international oil prices and other factors used in the pricing formula. The repeated changes in fuel prices are being closely watched by consumers transport operators and businesses because of their potential impact on inflation and the overall cost of living. For motorists, the latest increase means another rise in the cost of filling their vehicles. Transport and logistics businesses may also face higher operating expenses if fuel prices remain elevated.

A young man was killed in Lahore after a dispute between children reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation involving adults and gunfire in the city’s Ghaziabad area. According to police and local reports, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of Ghaziabad Police Station. The trouble reportedly began when children got into an argument while playing. What initially appeared to be a minor dispute soon intensified after adults from the two sides became involved. The disagreement reportedly escalated rapidly with the opposing sides allegedly pulling out firearms. Gunshots were then fired during the confrontation leaving a young man seriously injured. Police said the victim suffered critical injuries in the shooting. He was immediately taken to Services Hospital in Lahore, where doctors attempted to save his life. However, his condition remained critical and he eventually died while receiving treatment. Following the incident, police launched an investigation and took suspects allegedly involved in the shooting into custody. Authorities said legal proceedings have been initiated against those arrested while investigators are working to establish the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation. Police also completed the necessary legal procedures regarding the victim’s body before handing it over to his family. The incident has highlighted the serious consequences that can arise when minor disagreements turn into violent disputes. What reportedly began as a quarrel between children eventually escalated into an armed confrontation, resulting in the death of a young man. Authorities are expected to investigate whether the weapons used in the incident were legally held and determine the exact role of each suspect. Further details may emerge as the investigation progresses. Residents in the area have expressed concern over the escalation of disputes into armed violence. Such incidents can pose serious risks not only to those directly involved but also to nearby residents and bystanders. Police have urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to contact authorities when disputes become serious. Officials said those responsible would face legal action according to the law. The case remains under investigation, while the arrest of the suspects is expected to help authorities determine what triggered the shooting and how the confrontation escalated so quickly.

The number of applicants for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme has increased by 52%, according to the Ministry of Finance, reflecting growing demand for housing finance across the country. The development was discussed during a meeting of the Steering Committee on Access to Finance chaired by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed progress in several priority sectors, including housing, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exports, information technology and renewable energy. According to officials housing finance increased from Rs294 billion at the end of June to Rs307 billion by mid-August. Applications under the Prime Minister Apna Ghar programme have risen by 52% since June, reaching approximately 139,000 applications. The number of approved applications also increased by 84%, exceeding 46,000. Officials said approved financing under the programme has nearly doubled rising from Rs144 billion to Rs279 billion. The number of loans disbursed through the Apna Ghar programme increased by 59% to more than 7,600 loans, with the total amount disbursed exceeding Rs38 billion. The meeting also reviewed regulatory and legal measures aimed at expanding access to housing finance. These include revised prudential regulations introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan. Under the updated framework housing finance includes a 90:10 loan-to-value ratio a 65% debt-burden ratio and new procedures for assessing informal income. Officials also discussed measures to simplify property valuation and documentation, expand digital processing and make long-term housing finance more accessible. The approval of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Amendment Act 2026 was described as an important legal reform for improving the recovery and enforcement framework for mortgage-based lending. The government has also set ambitious targets for agriculture and SME financing. It aims to increase financing in these sectors to Rs1.5 trillion by June 2027 and Rs2 trillion by June 2028. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the need to direct the financial sector toward productive investment, business expansion, home ownership, agricultural productivity and export-led economic growth.The number of applicants for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme has increased by 52%, according to the Ministry of Finance, reflecting growing demand for housing finance across the country.