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Tag: Reviews

  • Aurangzeb Reviews Retailers’ Tax Scheme, Pushes to Widen Tax Net

    Aurangzeb Reviews Retailers’ Tax Scheme, Pushes to Widen Tax Net

    ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Friday that the government is working to simplify tax procedures and help retailers meet their tax obligations by bringing them onto the tax roll.

    The minister reviewed progress on the retailers’ tax scheme in a meeting that was also attended by State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar and Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mahmood Langrial. The discussion focused on measures to facilitate registration of retailers and broaden the tax base.

    According to an official announcement, the meeting reviewed the progress made so far and the steps needed to speed up compliance with the scheme. It noted that the response from traders had been below expectations, underscoring the challenge of documenting the retail sector.

    Mr Aurangzeb said the scheme offers a simplified route for retailers to join the formal tax system and contribute to the country’s economic development. He stressed the need to assess implementation experience and address operational matters so the scheme can achieve its purpose.

    The meeting reviewed progress on registrations and tax returns filed under the scheme, including participation by existing taxpayers and the applicable tax payment requirements. Officials examined how retailers currently in the tax net are engaging with the new system.

    Efforts to identify and map unregistered retailers using available data and relevant identification records also came under discussion. The FBR briefed the meeting on data validation and on the need to ensure that registration records accurately reflect the businesses concerned.

    The minister emphasised a balanced approach that combines taxpayer facilitation with targeted, well-documented measures. Officials said the aim is to encourage voluntary compliance while keeping enforcement fair and transparent.

    Highlighting the scheme’s longer-term purpose, Mr Aurangzeb noted that the Retailers’ Tax Scheme should not be seen as a one-year arrangement limited to 2026. It is intended to provide a simplified route for small retailers to enter and remain in the formal tax system in the years ahead. According to the official announcement, the meeting concluded with directions to keep the registration process simple for shopkeepers and to resolve operational issues promptly so that compliance becomes easier for small businesses.

  • Northern Army Commander Reviews J&K Security in Srinagar Meeting

    Northern Army Commander Reviews J&K Security in Srinagar Meeting

    SRINAGAR: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command, on Saturday chaired a comprehensive security review and coordination meeting in Srinagar, taking stock of the prevailing security situation, operational preparedness and coordination mechanisms across Jammu and Kashmir.

    Senior J&K Police officers, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and Inspector General of Police Kashmir Sujit Kumar, besides senior Army and intelligence officers, attended the meeting, according to reports. Representatives of formations and agencies involved in the security grid were also present.

    The Army’s Northern Command said on social media platform X that Lt Gen Sharma reviewed inputs placed before the participants in the presence of key stakeholders.

    During the meeting, the Northern Commander reiterated the need for enhanced inter-agency synergy, real-time intelligence sharing and integrated coordination among all stakeholders. He underlined that closer collaboration was essential to strengthen operational readiness, facilitate rapid response and improve the effectiveness of joint operations.

    Officials said the review also examined the functioning of existing coordination mechanisms on the ground and identified areas where further integration could help shorten the response cycle. The meeting focused on aligning operational priorities and strengthening mechanisms for sharing and acting upon actionable intelligence.

    Recent field visits

    The Srinagar meeting came days after Lt Gen Sharma visited South Kashmir to review the progress of the ongoing Operation KORAG and assess the security situation in the area. During that visit, he commended the formation for its synergy, dedication, perseverance and commitment to sustained counter-terror operations.

    Earlier in the week, the Northern Commander had also reviewed the security posture in the Akhnoor sector and directed troops to remain vigilant and combat-ready.

    Srinagar serves as the headquarters of the Army’s XV Corps and is a key operational hub for the security grid in the Kashmir Valley, where high-level review meetings are periodically convened to align the assessments of the Army, police and intelligence agencies.

    The Northern Command is a principal operational formation of the Indian Army, headquartered at Udhampur. It currently controls four corps: XIV Corps (Leh), XV Corps (Srinagar), I Corps (Mathura) and XVI Corps (Nagrota). The command was re-raised in 1972 to oversee India’s northern borders.