Archive for December, 2015

Gas utilities dumping Ogra orders: PEW

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Gas distribution companies promoting interests of brokers
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said gas companies continue to prefer interests of brokers over interests of consumers.
Gas distribution companies are reluctant to abide by the decisions on Ogra taken in the interests of masses, it said.
Gas utilities have not accepted any decision of the regulator since years and has recently refused to accept the gas tariff recently announced by the Ogra, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that all the directives to fix issues like overbilling have been ditched in favour of shareholders and some brokers.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that insistence of the gas utilities to increase UFG (theft and losses) is nothing but effort to benefit shareholders on the cost of masses.

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Decision to deregulate sugar prices opposed: PEW

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Artificial sugar shortage shouldn’t be allowed
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday opposed move of the government to deregulate prices of sugar terming it against the interests of masses as it will trigger price hike.
The decision to deregulate prices, allowing export of half million tonnes of sugar and an export subsidy of Rs 13 per kg should be reconsidered as it will put additional burden of Rs7 billion on public exchequer, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
Talking to VP FPCCI Fahmida Kausar Jamali, Tabassum Anwar of QCCI, Chairman Coordination FPCCI Malik Sohail and Malakand Investor Iftikhar Khan, he said that sugar export subsidy for the last year was Rs10 and there is no justification for the hike.
Allowing export of half a million tonnes can result in shortage in local market therefore only 1,25,000 tonnes of sugar should be exported which will also save subsidy in billions.

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PEW detects corruption in PBC

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Govt should take note of bungling in Radio Pakistan
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday asked the government to take note irregularities in the financially troubled Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation.
An official of the institution is misusing authority and violating rules and regulations to benefit certain quarters which is put an additional burden of around Rs30 million on the public exchequer, it said.
Radio Pakistan issued an annual tender for provision of security services in June for the provision of 312 security guards and supervisors for its facilities stretched across country but the winning company was side-lined illegally, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that the company which was providing security to installations of Radio Pakistan since last five years quoted minimum rates as compare to other participating companies but the same was not awarded tender.

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Govt asked to take note of affirs in Mardan University: PEW

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University administration barring teachers from higher education
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday said goverenmnt should take note of deteriorating state of affairs in the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) which is being run on non-professional basis.
Mismanagement and favouritismand revenge rules the institution which is jeopardising the future of students as well as teachers, it said.
Giving an example, Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW said that double distinction holder Mr. Nauman Reayat (MPhil Gold Medallist) who is a lecturer in AWKUM was awarded overseas scholarship for PhD in Politics at University of York, UK on Feb 19, 2015 which was cancelled without any solid reason.
Mr. Nauman challenged the decision in Peshawar High Court (PHC) and overturned the cancellation decision.

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Mini budget seen as a blunder: PEW

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Mini budget, a confusing justification
Provisional revenue measures to weaken economy
Contradictory statement on mini budget confusing masses

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said the Rs 40 billion mini budget slapped by the government is unjustified which will increase poverty, smuggling and weaken economy.
Adhoc measures to increase revenue will never prove fruitful in the current scenario unless tax administration is reformed, it said.
Those who have always claimed to abolish SRO culture have introduced mini budget through an SRO bypassing Parliament which is against their claims, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that government continue to earn hefty amount by imposing record taxes on petroleum products denying common man on any relief and now new measures have been imposed.

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