court extends gul
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Court extends Gul Plaza probe till Aug 9

ByJustpaste.in

KARACHI: A judicial magistrate in Karachi has granted investigators additional time to complete the investigation into the Gul Plaza tragedy case. The court extended the deadline until August 9 and directed the investigating officer to submit a complete report at the next hearing.

During the proceedings, the investigating officer informed the court that the inquiry was still in progress and requested more time to finalize the investigation. He said responses from several government departments had been collected, but information from some key institutions was still awaited.

The court was told that six government departments had already submitted their replies to investigators. However, responses from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Water Corporation had not yet been received, preventing the investigation from being completed.

The investigating officer requested that the court allow additional time so that all pending replies could be included in the final investigation report. The court accepted the request and granted an extension until August 9.

The magistrate directed the investigating officer to complete all remaining inquiries before the next hearing and submit a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the case. The court stressed the importance of ensuring that the investigation is thorough and based on complete information from all relevant departments.

The Gul Plaza tragedy case has remained under investigation as authorities continue collecting evidence and official records from various institutions. Investigators are examining the role of different departments and reviewing all available documents before reaching their final conclusions.

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    Pakistan’s auto tax policy sparks industry divide over EV incentives

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    LAHORE: Pakistan’s automobile industry is witnessing growing divisions over the government’s taxation policy for vehicles, with local manufacturers warning that the current framework unfairly benefits expensive imported and premium new energy vehicles (NEVs) while placing a heavier tax burden on affordable cars purchased by middle-income families. The controversy has intensified following the government’s decision to introduce a range of fiscal incentives for new energy vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). While the policy is designed to accelerate Pakistan’s transition towards cleaner transportation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, established local assemblers argue that the incentives are skewed in favour of luxury vehicle buyers instead of promoting affordable green mobility. Industry representatives say the taxation gap between conventional locally assembled vehicles and premium electric vehicles has widened considerably, raising concerns over fairness, competitiveness and the long-term sustainability of Pakistan’s domestic automobile manufacturing sector. According to industry estimates, a locally assembled Suzuki Alto—one of the country’s most affordable passenger vehicles priced at around Rs3 million—bears nearly Rs550,000 in taxes, including sales tax, federal excise duty (FED) and the recently introduced New Energy Vehicle (NEV) levy. In contrast, a premium REEV costing close to Rs10 million reportedly attracts sales tax of only around Rs100,000 while remaining exempt from both the federal excise duty and the NEV levy. The tax disparity has triggered criticism from domestic manufacturers, who argue that the current structure effectively penalises middle-income consumers while offering generous incentives to buyers of high-end imported vehicles. Local Assemblers Raise Concerns Pak Suzuki Motor Company spokesperson Ikhlaq Virk said the taxation framework has created an uneven competitive environment that disadvantages affordable vehicles widely used by Pakistani families. He said entry-level models such as the Alto and Cultus serve as essential transportation for the country’s middle class but receive no meaningful tax relief despite their affordability. Virk further noted that premium hybrid and electric vehicles, valued at nearly Rs10 million or more, continue to enjoy substantial concessions under the government’s clean mobility policy. He also pointed to reports suggesting that the sales tax on certain plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles could be reduced from 25 percent to 18 percent after changes introduced through the Finance Bill, arguing that such relief would primarily benefit affluent consumers rather than encouraging mass-market adoption. IMF Programme Adds Complexity The debate comes at a time when Pakistan remains under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, which has required the government to increase tax revenues, rationalise subsidies and implement fiscal reforms to stabilise the economy. Against this backdrop, industry stakeholders argue that taxation policies should strike a balance between environmental objectives and economic realities, ensuring that clean energy initiatives do not disproportionately favour a small segment of wealthy consumers. The discussion has also reopened a broader policy debate over whether Pakistan’s green mobility strategy should focus solely on reducing emissions or also safeguard domestic manufacturing, employment and industrial investment. Analysts Call for Balanced Incentives Automobile industry experts believe Pakistan’s transition towards cleaner transportation is necessary, but they stress that government incentives should encourage widespread adoption instead of being concentrated in the luxury vehicle segment. Yousuf M. Farooq, Director Research at Chase Securities, said environmental goals should be pursued alongside industrial development and economic sustainability. He noted that while encouraging cleaner transportation is an important national objective, incentive programmes should also consider vehicle affordability, localisation, environmental benefits and the contribution of manufacturers to Pakistan’s economy. Farooq emphasised the need for a consistent taxation framework across all vehicle categories, including conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles, while maintaining adequate protection for local assembly operations and the domestic auto parts industry. He added that environmental incentives should not undermine the competitiveness of local manufacturers or threaten employment generated by Pakistan’s automotive sector. Local Industry Fears Investment Slowdown Pakistan’s automobile industry has invested billions of rupees over the past three decades in assembly plants, localisation programmes and vendor development. The sector supports hundreds of component manufacturers and provides employment to thousands of skilled workers across the country. Industry stakeholders warn that if imported premium electric vehicles continue to enjoy significantly lower taxation than locally assembled conventional vehicles, future investment in domestic manufacturing could slow, weakening Pakistan’s automotive supply chain and localisation efforts. Manufacturers believe a prolonged imbalance may discourage further expansion by existing assemblers while affecting the viability of local parts suppliers that have developed alongside the country’s automobile industry. Government’s Green Mobility Vision Supporters of the government’s policy argue that Pakistan cannot afford to lag behind the global transition towards electric mobility. Many countries are offering tax incentives, subsidies and policy support to encourage electric vehicle adoption, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and lower carbon emissions. 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    Lionel Richie takes a dig at Chris Brown during co…

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    Canada announces retaliatory tariffs as trade talks with US collapse

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    Iran issues stark warning to US over ground troops

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    Nora Fatehi breaks silence on Sarke Chunar controversy

    ByJustpaste.in

    Nora Fatehi has once again addressed the controversy surrounding the song “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke” from KD: The Devil, revealing that years of experience in the entertainment industry have helped her develop what she describes as a “thick skin” when dealing with criticism and public backlash. The actress and dancer recently discussed the controversy during an appearance on the Dream with Dr Sheen podcast. Speaking about the reaction that followed the release of snippets connected to the song, Nora said she was not completely surprised by the criticism. According to her, she had already anticipated that the situation could attract strong reactions, particularly because discussions surrounding the song became connected to broader conversations about feminism and the portrayal of women. Nora also alleged that certain influencers were paid to promote a particular narrative about the controversy. She claimed that she was aware that some people had been hired to criticize or target her, suggesting that the situation had been deliberately amplified by individuals who saw an opportunity to benefit from the controversy. The “Dilbar” performer explained that she was initially unaware of how the song would eventually be presented. She said she had spent several days shooting for the project but did not know that the material would later become the subject of widespread discussion and criticism. Rather than immediately panicking, Nora said she remained calm when the controversy erupted. However, as misleading claims began circulating online, she decided that remaining silent could create further confusion. She eventually released a clarification video in an attempt to explain her involvement and set the record straight. Nora said that despite providing an explanation, she continued to face accusations from people who refused to believe her version of events. She pointed out that the complete song had not actually been released at the time, with audiences instead seeing snippets, selected clips and AI-generated images. In her earlier clarification, Nora had explained that she originally filmed the song around three years ago in Kannada. She said that when the material was translated, she did not find anything inappropriate or vulgar because she depended on the information provided to her by the people working on the project. Since she does not understand Kannada, she said she had no way of independently evaluating the original lyrics. According to Nora, the controversy arose after the song was adapted and dubbed into Hindi. She claimed that the Hindi lyrics and dubbing were done without seeking her permission or approval. She further stated that she had not been informed about the changes and had no idea that the song would eventually be presented in that form. The controversy surrounding “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke” also escalated after a formal complaint was reportedly filed over allegations that the song contained vulgar and obscene material. The issue subsequently generated considerable discussion on social media, with audiences debating the lyrics, presentation and the involvement of the performers. The song features vocals by Mangli, while its lyrics were written by Raqeeb Alam and the music was composed by Arjun Janya. For Nora, however, the controversy appears to have reinforced the importance of protecting her side of the story. Her latest comments suggest that years of dealing with public scrutiny have made her more prepared for criticism, even when she believes the narrative surrounding a project does not accurately reflect her involvement. By speaking openly about the incident, Nora has once again maintained that she should not be held responsible for changes made to the song without her knowledge or approval. Her comments also highlight the challenges celebrities can face when older projects are reworked or released in a form they did not originally expect.

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    Australia defends social media ban for under-16s

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Australian government has defended its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, despite new data showing that most teenagers continue to access restricted platforms months after the law came into effect. The legislation, introduced in December, was designed to protect children from the harmful effects of social media on their mental and physical health. The policy attracted international attention, with Australia becoming the first country to implement such a nationwide restriction on underage social media users. A recent report by Australia’s online safety regulator found that more than eight in ten teenagers under the age of 16 were still using social media platforms three months after the restrictions became operational. The findings have highlighted the challenges governments face in enforcing digital regulations. Despite the report, Australian authorities insisted that the policy remains an important step toward creating a safer online environment for children. Officials said the law has already influenced public discussion about online safety and encouraged greater awareness among parents, educators and technology companies. Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh said the government never expected complete compliance immediately after the law came into force. He explained that many public safety laws require time before they achieve widespread compliance. Leigh said the government considers the legislation successful because it has changed the national conversation about children’s use of social media and encouraged stronger action to protect young users from harmful online content. He noted that millions of social media accounts had already been closed or restricted since the implementation of the law. According to the minister, this demonstrates that the legislation is already having an impact, even if some teenagers continue to access online platforms. The government also stressed that technology companies have a major responsibility to ensure compliance with the new rules. Officials said digital platforms must strengthen age verification systems and take effective measures to prevent underage users from creating or maintaining accounts. Regulatory authorities are continuing to assess how well social media companies are implementing the restrictions. They are also examining additional measures that could improve enforcement and ensure technology firms meet their legal obligations. Experts say the latest findings illustrate the complexity of regulating online platforms, particularly as social media has become deeply integrated into the daily lives of young people. They note that effective enforcement will require cooperation between governments, parents, schools and technology companies.

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