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Chitral Cut Off After Devastating Floods: Salim Khan
PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chitral leader and former Provincial Minister for Population, Salim Khan, on Friday called on the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to immediately declare an emergency in flood-hit Chitral and launch relief and rehabilitation operations.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, he said the devastating floods of August 3 caused extensive destruction across Chitral, washing away hundreds of houses, bridges, roads, irrigation channels and standing crops. He claimed that three people lost their lives and that several parts of the district had been cut off from the rest of the country due to the damage to infrastructure.
Salim Khan criticized both the provincial and federal governments for what he described as an inadequate response to the disaster, alleging that no senior government representative had visited the affected areas or expressed concern over the losses. He also questioned the response of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), despite the availability of disaster relief funds.
He said residents of remote valleys were facing severe hardships and, in many cases, were forced to walk six to ten hours to reach Chitral city because roads had become impassable.
The PPP leader urged the authorities to conduct an immediate damage assessment, release rehabilitation funds transparently and begin reconstruction work without delay. He also alleged that funds announced for Chitral after the 2022 floods had not reached the district.
Salim Khan warned that if the governments failed to declare an emergency and initiate relief operations immediately, the PPP would launch protest demonstrations.
National
PM’s Directives: FBR Engages Business Leaders
PROVINCE REPORT
KARACHI: Acting on the Prime Minister’s directives, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) held a high-level meeting with delegations of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) to discuss key issues facing the business community.
The meeting focused on improving business facilitation, addressing complaints of taxpayer harassment, and ensuring transparency and integrity in tax administration. Business representatives highlighted their concerns and proposed measures to improve the business environment.
The FBR chairman reaffirmed the board’s commitment to simplifying tax procedures, expediting pending refunds and easing compliance requirements to promote trade and industry. He also directed tax officials to ensure fair treatment of taxpayers, stating that harassment of legitimate businesses would not be tolerated.
During the meeting, several issues raised by participants were addressed on the spot, with immediate directions issued for their resolution. Both sides agreed to enhance transparency through regular engagement at the senior level and closer supervision by FBR’s operational leadership in Karachi.
It was also agreed to establish joint committees comprising senior FBR officials and representatives of the business community to ensure continuous consultation, streamline procedures, resolve pending issues and address genuine grievances promptly.
The FPCCI and PBC delegations appreciated the Prime Minister’s initiative and thanked the FBR chairman for a constructive and solution-oriented dialogue, expressing confidence that the agreed measures would strengthen business confidence and support Pakistan’s economic growth.
