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Tax begone — a less costly broadband?

Pakistan’s political class loves the vocabulary of transformation. Every year, new visions promise a “Digital Pakistan”, an “empowered youth”, and a “modern economy”. Yet beneath the lofty language lies a stubborn contradiction: the state taxes broadband as if it were a luxury product rather than the backbone of the 21st century. This single contradiction explains why Pakistan continues to lag behind regional peers in digital adoption, economic modernisation, and technological capacity. The country claims it wants digital growth, but it taxes the very oxygen that allows digital ecosystems to breathe. To understand how self-defeating this policy is, one must begin with the tax structure itself. After the 18th Amendment, sales tax on services became a provincial matter, and broadband taxation now varies across the country. These differences only add confusion; they do not change the core problem. Punjab, the largest province and home to more than half the country’s population, conti...
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Recognising the merit of the 7th NFC award

Though the maiden National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting on Dec 4 was held in a cordial atmosphere and the topic of reducing provincial shares from the divisible pool was not raised, analysts fear that the Centre will not refrain from attempting to slash the provincial share or, alternatively, impose new expenditures on the provinces as talks move forward. It was stipulated that the Federal Board of Revenue will boost its tax collection by 3–3.5 percentage points to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio to 13pc, with the provinces expected to enhance their share from the existing 0.28 per cent to 3pc of GDP through effective taxation on services, property and farm income. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto, on Dec 9, urged the federal government to transfer sales tax on goods to the provinces, as the collection of sales on services has significantly increased through devolution to the federating units after the 18th Amendment. He said centralised control was not only inefficient but also dr...
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PSL 11 dates announced as PCB unveils plans during New York roadshow

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The Pakistan Super League’s 11th edition is planned to be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday, while also announcing that the auction for two proposed new franchises would take place on January 8. The announcements were made during a PCB investor roadshow in New York, part of an overseas promotional campaign aimed at attracting commercial interest ahead of a potential expansion of the league from six to eight teams. The PCB has previously indicated that expansion is under consideration, though the addition of new franchises has not yet been formally ratified. Addressing attendees at the event, Mohsin said the PCB had taken administrative control of the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium and intended to begin renovation work. He added that efforts were under way to have the venue ready in time for the PSL, though he acknowledged that completion before the tournament was not guaranteed. “We are starting Muzaffarabad’s stad...
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Over 7,000 sit medical, dental licensing exam today

ISLAMABAD: The Nat­ional Registration Exami­nation (NRE) for foreign medical and dental graduates will be held at major regional centres nationwide on Sunday (today), with more than 7,000 candidates set to appear for the mandatory test. The NRE Step-I will be conducted by the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) in Rawalpindi, in accordance with the policy of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). A total of 7,076 graduates registered with the PMDC for the exam, including 6,989 medical graduates and 87 dental graduates, according to council data. According to a statement from the PMDC, the examination will take place at four venues. In Islamabad/Rawa­lpindi, 2,358 medical and 43 dental candidates will appear; in Lahore, 3,562 medical and 30 dental candidates; in Karachi, 499 medical and four dental candidates; and in Peshawar, 570 medical and 10 dental candidates. The candidates are graduates who obtained their medical and dental degr­ees from various countries ...
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3 US military personnel killed in suspected Islamic State attack in Syria

Three United States military personnel, two soldiers and a civilian interpreter, were killed on Saturday by a suspected Islamic State (IS) attacker who targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces, the US military said. Three other US soldiers were wounded, the US military’s Central Command said. In a statement, Central Command said the attack by a lone gunman occurred “as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement” in the central Syrian town of Palmyra. “Partner forces” killed the attacker, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote in a social media post. IS did not immediately claim responsibility, but a senior US official said initial assessments indicate the militant group probably carried out the attack. It took place in an area not controlled by the Syrian government, the official said. The soldiers’ names will be withheld until 24 hours after the next-of-kin notification, the US military said. Syrian state news agency SANA quoted a security source as s...
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When hockey took centre stage in the middle of the city

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THE crisp December air was festive at the KHA Hockey Complex as blue skies played canvas to clouds clouds imitating no less than an artist’s work. The view above contrasted smoothly with the expanse of the deep blue of the astroturf of the venue, located in the midst of the sprawling Gulshan-e-Iqbal. As buses honked relentlessly at the ever-bustling Nipa after having swished dust off the perpetually under-construction University Road, hockey took centre stage on the other side of the wall. It was the day when the gold medal winners for the national sport at the National Games were to be decided. View this post on Instagram There were no surprises; it were heavyweights Wapda and Army who added to their already stacked medals table to take the honours in the women’s and men’s finals respectively. Each achievement was celebrated with maximum zeal, as the announcer shouted his heart out even for the silver medal winners Punjab and Nav...
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Hanzala, Mahoor star as curtain falls on National Games competitions

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Pakistan’s international stalwarts led the charge as weightlifter Hanzala Dastagir Butt demolished the field to bag gold by a long shot, while badminton star Mahoor Shahzad won the women’s singles for the third time as the competitions drew to a close at the National Games on Friday. Wapda’s Hanzala made each lift look effortless as a delighted crowd mostly comprised of team-mates and enthusiasts of the sport looked on at the YMCA Scouts Auditorium. He lifted 157kg in the snatch and 193kg in the clean and jerk to post a massive 350kg total in the men’s 110kg category. The 23-year-old is already eyeing next year’s Commonwealth Games, where his older brother Nooh Dastigir Butt clinched the +109kg title in record-breaking fashion at the 2022 edition. “I take inspiration from him that one day I’ll also win a medal for Pakistan at that stage, and set a new record,” Hanzala told Dawn . Hanzala’s gold was one of four on the men’s side in addition to one silver and bronze medal each to c...
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