Author: Moin Ullah Shah

By Moin Ullah Shah ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a new tax compliance scheme for small retailers, introducing an official ‘Green Plate’ programme that exempts participating shopkeepers from routine tax inspections while simplifying the tax filing process. The initiative, introduced through S.R.O. 1109(I)/2026, is designed to encourage voluntary tax compliance by reducing direct interaction between retailers and tax officials. Under the scheme, eligible shopkeepers who register will receive an official Green Plate displaying an FBR-issued QR code, the owner’s name, National Tax Number (NTN) and business address. The plate must be displayed prominently outside the shop.…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho has assured Chinese citizens, experts and companies working in the province of comprehensive security measures, saying the protection of Chinese nationals and institutions remains a top priority. The assurance was given during a meeting between the Sindh police chief and Acting Chinese Consul General Mr Feng Deheng at the Central Police Office in Karachi. Senior police officials, including DIGs of Headquarters, Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Training, also attended the meeting. During the discussion, both sides reviewed matters of mutual interest, the overall security situation and…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: Police have arrested two men and seized 100kg of betel nut allegedly intended for the manufacture of gutka and mawa during an operation near Ahsanabad, officials said. The raid was carried out by Site Super Highway police in Karachi’s East Zone, where officers intercepted a vehicle allegedly being used to transport the consignment. Police said the suspects, identified as Emil Khan and Ajmal Khan, were taken into custody. The vehicle used in the alleged supply operation was also seized under legal provisions. In addition to the betel nut, officers recovered cash from the vehicle during…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: Flour mill owners have begun setting up fair price stalls across the city, where 10kg bags of flour are being sold for Rs1,250 as part of an initiative to provide consumers with flour at a fixed rate. Banners announcing the sale have been displayed at outlets established by flour mills in different districts to inform the public about the subsidised pricing. The move follows a meeting on Monday between Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi and representatives of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association. During the meeting, the association’s chairman and members pledged to sell flour through fair…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: A doctor was shot dead during an apparent robbery near Teen Talwar in Karachi’s Clifton area after withdrawing Rs5 million from a bank, police said. The victim was identified as Dr Akash, son of Seth Siro Mal. According to police, he had just withdrawn the cash and was leaving the bank in an Alto car when armed assailants targeted the vehicle nearby. Police said a security guard at the bank returned fire, but the attackers managed to escape. Dr Akash sustained critical gunshot wounds in the attack and was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: Authorities have intensified action against flour price violations across Karachi on the directives of the Sindh government, carrying out hundreds of inspections and imposing fines on businesses found breaching official pricing rules. According to the district administration, 673 inspections were conducted at flour mills, flour grinding units, wholesalers and retail shops across the city’s seven districts. Officials reported 143 violations of government-fixed flour prices and related regulations. Fines totalling Rs1.205 million were imposed on businesses involved in overcharging and other breaches, while two outlets were sealed over serious violations. The administration also issued 144 warning…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Karachi has arrested a wanted extortion suspect accused of threatening business owners and demanding large sums of money in New Karachi, police said. The suspect, identified as Rais Lodhi, was arrested in Karachi’s Central District during an intelligence-based operation. According to police, he had been absconding and was wanted in two extortion cases registered at the New Karachi Industrial Area (NKIA) police station. Police said that on May 9, 2026, the suspect and an accomplice allegedly demanded Rs1.5 million from a wholesale cigarette dealer in New Karachi…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: The Public Complaint Cell at the Chief Minister House in Karachi is continuing to address citizens’ grievances through what the Sindh government describes as a prompt and transparent complaint resolution system. The initiative is operating on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, with members of the provincial cabinet regularly receiving complaints from residents and coordinating with relevant authorities to facilitate their resolution. As part of the programme, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination and the Cooperative Department, Sardar Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari, visited the Public Complaint Cell on Wednesday,…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has confirmed that a privately operated cargo aircraft crashed after losing contact during a flight from Sharjah to Karachi. According to a PAA spokesperson, the crew reported a failure in the aircraft’s navigation system while in flight. Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately provided guidance and assistance in an effort to support the aircraft. Officials said the aircraft then began a rapid descent and unexpectedly changed course before disappearing from radar around 155 nautical miles west of Karachi. Radar and radio communication with the plane were lost simultaneously. Following the…

By Moin Ullah Shah KARACHI: Senior police officials in Karachi’s West Zone have honoured members of the Shaheen Force with commendation certificates and cash awards in recognition of their role in separate police encounters targeting suspected street criminals. According to a statement issued by the District Central Police, the awards were presented by DIG West Irfan Baloch and SSP District Central Dr Muhammad Imran Khan during a ceremony held on Monday. Police said two suspected armed robbers were killed in an encounter within the Super Market police jurisdiction, while two more suspects were killed in a separate operation in the New Karachi Industrial Area. Speaking…