No new tax in Punjab budget

According to sources, no new tax will be introduced in the coming budget, however, steps will be taken to enhance tax net.

Lahore will be divided into various categories for enforcement of property tax.

Tax exemption on five-marla houses in posh localities will be withdrawn while property tax on large houses is likely to increase up to 50 percent.

A proposal is also under consideration to increase token tax on vehicles over 1000cc.

Good chunk recovered

Download Thank You Wallpapers

Notwithstanding Anees Bazmee’s last dud NO PROBLEM and the string of flops to Akshay Kumar’s credit, UTV’s new film THANK YOU has met with a favorable response from distributors. Though UTV has its distribution offices across the globe, the corporate entity has sold the theatrical distribution rights of the film for various territories like Punjab, Rajasthan, CP Berar, Nizam, Mysore, Bihar and Bengal. “The deals were clinched at a formidable price,” UTV’s Gaurav Verma informs me.

UTV is in the process of closing deals for a few more territories in the coming days, thus recovering a major chunk of their investment prior to the film’s release.

SBP issues report of 1st quarter performance

The State Bank of Pakistan has issued its report on the financial performance of the country in the first quarter of 2010-2011.

According to the report, it is expected that performance of agri sector would be improved in the coming months. It is said in the report that inflation remained higher than expected during the first six months of the financial year and this will continue in the coming months thats why SBP has estimated inflation at 15-16 percent in 2011.

Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Alia to be launched by Karan Johar and SRK

Only last week we informed you about Karan Johar and SRK launching two newcomers namely Varun Dhawan (son of David Dhawan) and Sidharth Malhotra in their next co-production.

Now the buzz is that besides the two debutant leading men, yet another newcomer is being launched in this project. The girl in question is Alia (younger daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan) and in all probability she is the lucky one to have bagged this plum project.

The film is a love triangle with both the new boys vying for Alia’s attention.

Must say that the coming year is surely going to witness a lot of fresh talent.

Petroleum prices likely to rise

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The prices of petroleum products are expected to go up by Rs. 4 per liter from the coming month of November.

The hike will be announced in line with global oil prices increased by six to seven percent during October.

According to sources, prices of petrol, diesel, HOBC and jet fuel will increase by Rs. 4 per liter. SAMAA

Israel PM urges talks beyond settlement freeze

JERUSELUM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to pursue “expedited, honest talks” to achieve a peace deal within a year, in a statement issued on Monday minutes after the formal expiration of a settlement freeze.

“Israel is ready to pursue continuous contacts in the coming days to find a way to continue peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority,” the statement said.

It added that Netanyahu had been in touch with U.S., Egyptian and Jordanian leaders in search of a way to avoid a Palestinian walkout from nascent talks over the settlements issue. AGENCIES

EU agrees to grant Pakistan trade breaks

BRUSSELS: European Union countries agreed on Thursday to grant trade concessions to Pakistan to help it overcome the impact of flooding and maintain political stability, diplomats said.

“There is a deal done,” one European diplomat said, explaining that it would involve Pakistan receiving an “immediate and time-limited reduction” in duties on key import to the European Union.

The details will be determined in the coming weeks, with the European Commission working with the World Trade Organisation to finalise how it would be implemented and ensure trade rules are not violated.

The proposal is due to be completed by October, diplomats said. AGENCIES

Malik hints at conspiracy behind match-fixing row

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Tuesday that there might be a conspiracy behind the match-fixing scam as strong evidence against the players has not been found.

“We will believe only when we have concrete evidence with us,” Malik told reporters just hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to take any action against the players without proof of wrongdoing.

Malik said a preliminary report on the matter had been sought and that the Pakistan government had written to Scotland Yard through Interpol to get more facts.

Rehman Malik said that stern action would be taken if any cricketer is found guilty in the match fixing allegations.

He said that investigations have commenced regarding the involvement of cricketers in a match fixing allegation made by British media; an investigative team of the Federal Investigation

Flood victims frustrated with medical care

MUZAFFARGARH: Victims of floods queued to get medical treatment on Tuesday as doctors complained of a shortage of medical supplies to treat a rising number of patients.

Monsoon floods have receded in some areas but aid agencies fear disease, food shortages and malnutrition may create new crises as people head back to their shattered towns and villages and try to rebuild their homes and lives.

“Whatever stock of medicines we have is about to finish and the number of patients will increase in the coming days,” said Ashiq Hussain Malik, medical superintendent of Muzaffargarh’s main district hospital in Punjab province.

“Nearly 60 percent of patients are suffering from gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, skin and eye infections and the patients who are coming here are in a pretty bad condition.”

The United Nations has warned of imminent waterborne diseases,

Pakistan to face Australia in the final of Youth Olympics Hockey

Pakistan to face Australia today in the final of Singapore Youth Olympics Hockey, while the senior team has been announced to take part in Commonwealth games in Holland.
19-men squad has been announced after trials session in Abbott-abdad. Three changes were made as Goalkeeper Salman Akbar, Akhtar Ali and Aamir Shahzad were replaced by Imran Butt, Waqas Akbar and Kashif Javed. Under the captaincy of Zeeshan Ashraf the team would consist of Muhammad Imran as vice captain, Imran Shah, Waqas Shareef, Muhammad Irfan, Waseem Ahmad, Muhammad Rashid, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Tauseeq, Omar Bhatta, Shafqat Rasool, Haseem Khan, Muhammad Zubair, and Fareed Ahmad.

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