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Tajir Dost fails to boost tax compliance

The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) nearly five-month tax registration drive in 42 cities has brought thousands of traders onto the tax roll, but an average income tax collected from an individual under the Tajir Dost Scheme (TDS) is around Rs2,432 per month. Despite contributing 20pc to the gross domestic product, the tax contribution of the retail and wholesale sector stands at a mere 4pc. T

Power users to pay more for fourth quarter

In an interesting observation, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Chairman Waseem Mukhtar on Wednesday asked the power companies to downplay Rs1.89 per unit additional quarterly tariff adjustments on account of the fourth quarter (April-June) of FY24 and instead project only 96 paise per unit increase. During a public hearing on fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for July, the Nepra c

Nationwide shutter-down inflicts colossal economic losses

The economy suffered substantial trade losses due to a countrywide strike called by the business community against high power bills and increasing tax burden on Wednesday, overshadowing claims of a major victory, while industrial activities exhibited a mixed trend due to various factors. Industrialists’ bodies supported the strike by traders, while also urging the government to revise contracts

PSX tumbles on economic uncertainty

The stock market continued its southward journey on Tuesday amid growing security concerns and economic uncertainty about securing the IMF board’s approval for the new loan programme. Additionally, a nationwide strike call by the opposition for August 28 against the rising cost of electricity, gas, food, etc., supported by all the major chambers and traders associations across the country, depr

Digital gold rush: A high-stakes gamble in a fragile economy

I used to walk an hour to work every day because I couldn’t afford any form of transportation,” said Ashraf*, who earns around minimum income while trading in cryptocurrencies on the side. Showing photos of his brand new Kia Sportage worth Rs9 million ($32,000), Ashraf proudly talks about his new three-story home and the state-of-the-art solar system he has installed, all courtesy of his investmen