Cell phone networks have become terror networks: Rehman Malik
Malik says when services were suspended for Ashura, Chehlum, there was no incident of improvised device explosion.
Interior Minister says all IED bombs in Quetta and Karachi were detonated using mobile phones. PHOTO: PID / FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that cell phone networks have now become terror networks with almost all explosions involving improvised explosive devices in Quetta and Karachi employing mobile phones, Radio Pakistan reported.
Replying to points raised by different members during the Senate session on Friday regarding the latest episode of suspending cell phone services across the country, Malik said that mobile phones have become a source of terror, being used for detonating bombs.
The interior minister said that when the mobile services were suspended for Ashura and Chehlum, there was not a single incident of improvised device explosion. He added that occasionally the step is being taken to maintain law and order in the country and save precious human lives.
Responding to another point raised by Idrees Safi‚ the Interior Minister said 90 per cent of Afghans living in I-11 Katchi abadi did not have valid visas. He said despite repeated warnings they had not vacated the place. Malik claimed that a number of criminal facilitators could be found within this illegal settlement.
The Leader of the House Jahangir Badar assured that they would facilitate negotiations between a jirga of I-11 Katchi abadi and the Capital Development Authority.
Government is taking measures to improve the tax to GDP ratio
The Senate was informed on Friday that the government is taking measures to improve the tax to GDP ratio.
During question hour‚ Minister of State for Finance Saleem Mandviwala told the House that the current tax to GDP ratio for the financial year 2011-12 has improved to 9.1 per cent from the lowest level of 8.6 per cent for 2010-11.
The House also adopted a motion moved by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh that the Senate make recommendations to the National Assembly on the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill‚ 2012‚ under Article 73 of the Constitution.
The Finance Minister said the tax amnesty scheme is aimed at bring the wealthy into tax net by offering them incentives. The move will help enhance the revenue of the government which can in turn be spent for the welfare of the people.
Dr Shaikh said the law will also end harassment of taxpayers by officials of the Federal Board of Revenue. He called upon the Opposition to join hands with government to bring the rich people into tax net.
Pakistan polio free by 2014?
The Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani said steps were being taken to eradicate polio and expressed the hope that the country will be polio-free by the end of 2013.
He said polio workers are being provided security.
Senate members walkout over KESC
Meanwhile‚ Senator Raza Rabbani on a point of order criticised the management of Karachi Electric Supply Company for flouting the writ of the parliament.
Rabbani said the KESC Managing Director was repeatedly called by the Standing Committee to give details of the retrenched employees of the company but he did not obey the orders.
Raza Rabbani and the ANP members staged a token walkout over this attitude of the KESC.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that cell phone networks have now become terror networks with almost all explosions involving improvised explosive devices in Quetta and Karachi employing mobile phones, Radio Pakistan reported.
Replying to points raised by different members during the Senate session on Friday regarding the latest episode of suspending cell phone services across the country, Malik said that mobile phones have become a source of terror, being used for detonating bombs.
The interior minister said that when the mobile services were suspended for Ashura and Chehlum, there was not a single incident of improvised device explosion. He added that occasionally the step is being taken to maintain law and order in the country and save precious human lives.
Responding to another point raised by Idrees Safi‚ the Interior Minister said 90 per cent of Afghans living in I-11 Katchi abadi did not have valid visas. He said despite repeated warnings they had not vacated the place. Malik claimed that a number of criminal facilitators could be found within this illegal settlement.
The Leader of the House Jahangir Badar assured that they would facilitate negotiations between a jirga of I-11 Katchi abadi and the Capital Development Authority.
Government is taking measures to improve the tax to GDP ratio
The Senate was informed on Friday that the government is taking measures to improve the tax to GDP ratio.
During question hour‚ Minister of State for Finance Saleem Mandviwala told the House that the current tax to GDP ratio for the financial year 2011-12 has improved to 9.1 per cent from the lowest level of 8.6 per cent for 2010-11.
The House also adopted a motion moved by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh that the Senate make recommendations to the National Assembly on the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill‚ 2012‚ under Article 73 of the Constitution.
The Finance Minister said the tax amnesty scheme is aimed at bring the wealthy into tax net by offering them incentives. The move will help enhance the revenue of the government which can in turn be spent for the welfare of the people.
Dr Shaikh said the law will also end harassment of taxpayers by officials of the Federal Board of Revenue. He called upon the Opposition to join hands with government to bring the rich people into tax net.
Pakistan polio free by 2014?
The Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani said steps were being taken to eradicate polio and expressed the hope that the country will be polio-free by the end of 2013.
He said polio workers are being provided security.
Senate members walkout over KESC
Meanwhile‚ Senator Raza Rabbani on a point of order criticised the management of Karachi Electric Supply Company for flouting the writ of the parliament.
Rabbani said the KESC Managing Director was repeatedly called by the Standing Committee to give details of the retrenched employees of the company but he did not obey the orders.
Raza Rabbani and the ANP members staged a token walkout over this attitude of the KESC.