NEW DELHI: Talks with IMF on bailout package to help Pakistan’s struggling economy face more hurdles, Wikipedia banned for ‘blasphemous’ content and other news stories that made headlines in the neighboring country last week in our roundup of the Pakistan:
IMF, Islamabad differ on fiscal deficit, GST rates
The IMF has calculated a tax gap of about 900 billion rupees, equivalent to 1% of Pakistan’s GDP. However, the Pakistani authorities have disputed such a huge tax gap and have proposed to apply a different formula, which shows that it is in the order of Rs 400-450 billion.
Also, the IMF is asking to raise the GST rate from 17 to 18%, but the government is resisting it tooth and nail.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement on Sunday makes it clear that the deal is far from done.
“The IMF is critically examining every book, be it oil, finance, trade or the energy sector. They’re looking at everything, every subsidy.
Pakistani inflation up to 48 years old
Inflation has risen to a 48-year high in crisis-hit Pakistan, according to data released last week by the country’s statistics office.
YoY inflation in January 2023 was recorded at 27.55%, the highest since May 1975, with thousands of containers of imports held up at the Port of Karachi.
Pakistan has less than $3.7 billion in the state bank, enough to cover just three weeks of imports.
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Wikipedia blocked for “blasphemous content”
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked Wikipedia due to the website’s refusal to remove allegedly offensive or blasphemous material.
PTA said Wikipedia was contacted to block or remove said content by issuing a notice pursuant to applicable law and court orders.
An opportunity for a hearing was also provided; however, the platform has not complied by removing the blasphemous content or submitted to the authority.
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Pakistan seeks help from Afghan Taliban leader to control TTP
A desperate Pakistan has sought the help of Afghan Taliban leader Haibuttallah Akhundzada to curb the outlawed Pakistani Taliban group responsible for a spate of terrorist attacks in the country.
The TTP, which is believed to have close ties to al-Qaeda, threatened to target the ruling coalition’s top leaders if the government continued to implement tough measures against the militants.
The Afghan Taliban have so far taken no steps to expel TTP agents from the country, at the cost of weakening ties with Islamabad.
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Former minister sent to 14 days of judicial custody
An Islamabad court has sent the head of the Awami Muslim League (AML), Sheikh Rashid, a close associate of PTI head Imran Khan, to 14 days in pre-trial detention.
The former home minister is facing serious charges as he leveled accusations against PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for plotting to assassinate Khan. He was arrested on Thursday; his bail hearing is scheduled for Monday.
IMF, Islamabad differ on fiscal deficit, GST rates
The IMF has calculated a tax gap of about 900 billion rupees, equivalent to 1% of Pakistan’s GDP. However, the Pakistani authorities have disputed such a huge tax gap and have proposed to apply a different formula, which shows that it is in the order of Rs 400-450 billion.
Also, the IMF is asking to raise the GST rate from 17 to 18%, but the government is resisting it tooth and nail.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement on Sunday makes it clear that the deal is far from done.
“The IMF is critically examining every book, be it oil, finance, trade or the energy sector. They’re looking at everything, every subsidy.
Pakistani inflation up to 48 years old
Inflation has risen to a 48-year high in crisis-hit Pakistan, according to data released last week by the country’s statistics office.
YoY inflation in January 2023 was recorded at 27.55%, the highest since May 1975, with thousands of containers of imports held up at the Port of Karachi.
Pakistan has less than $3.7 billion in the state bank, enough to cover just three weeks of imports.
Read the full story
Wikipedia blocked for “blasphemous content”
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked Wikipedia due to the website’s refusal to remove allegedly offensive or blasphemous material.
PTA said Wikipedia was contacted to block or remove said content by issuing a notice pursuant to applicable law and court orders.
An opportunity for a hearing was also provided; however, the platform has not complied by removing the blasphemous content or submitted to the authority.
Read the full story
Pakistan seeks help from Afghan Taliban leader to control TTP
A desperate Pakistan has sought the help of Afghan Taliban leader Haibuttallah Akhundzada to curb the outlawed Pakistani Taliban group responsible for a spate of terrorist attacks in the country.
The TTP, which is believed to have close ties to al-Qaeda, threatened to target the ruling coalition’s top leaders if the government continued to implement tough measures against the militants.
The Afghan Taliban have so far taken no steps to expel TTP agents from the country, at the cost of weakening ties with Islamabad.
Read the full story
Former minister sent to 14 days of judicial custody
An Islamabad court has sent the head of the Awami Muslim League (AML), Sheikh Rashid, a close associate of PTI head Imran Khan, to 14 days in pre-trial detention.
The former home minister is facing serious charges as he leveled accusations against PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for plotting to assassinate Khan. He was arrested on Thursday; his bail hearing is scheduled for Monday.
