Despite the most recent increase in the cost of fuel, the Petroleum Division has determined to keep the existing petroleum charge on petrol, diesel and kerosene. This decision was communicated through a notification.

The statement states that the petroleum duty has not altered from its previous levels of Rs80 per litre for petrol, Rs70.82 per litre for high-speed diesel and Rs20.36 per litre for kerosene.

In accordance with the new daily pricing method, the government has declared that the prices of petroleum will be adjusted and will continue to be in place for a period of three days.

As a result of the most recent revision, the price of high-speed diesel has increased by Rs31.05 per litre, bringing the new retail price to Rs354.35 per litre.

The price of fuel has also been increased by Rs5.44 per litre, and the new rate is Rs316.15 a litre. This represents a significant increase.

In the meantime, the price of kerosene oil has increased by Rs34.33 per litre, leading to an increase in the price from Rs242.33 per litre to Rs276.66 per litre.

In accordance with the recently implemented daily petroleum pricing procedure, which was recently enacted by the government, the prices of fuel will henceforth be evaluated and notified on a daily basis.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has carried out a major administrative reshuffle, assigning new responsibilities to several senior officers as part of efforts to strengthen the institution’s administrative structure. A formal notification has been issued in this regard.

According to the notification, Saadia Sadaf Gilani has been appointed as Member, FBR Headquarters, Islamabad, while Amina Hassan has been named Director General, Inland Revenue Service Academy, Lahore. She is scheduled to assume charge of her new position on August 6.

Under the latest transfers, Tehmina Amir has been moved from the post of Member Taxpayers Services to Member Audit CRM at FBR Headquarters. Nabila Faran Baig has been appointed Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office (RTO), Rawalpindi.

The notification further stated that Ayesha Farooq has been appointed Director General, IT and Digital Transformation, FBR Headquarters, Islamabad, while Faheem Muhammad has been assigned as Director General, Directorate General of Internal Audit, Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Fareedullah Jan Khan has been posted as Director General, BTB, FBR Headquarters, Islamabad, and Yasmeen Fatima has been appointed Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Regional Tax Office, Islamabad.

In addition, Munir Sadiq has been appointed Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Corporate Tax Office, Lahore.

The latest appointments and transfers are aimed at improving the FBR’s administrative efficiency and enhancing performance across its various departments, with the newly appointed officers expected to assume their responsibilities shortly.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has digitally launched the Chief Minister Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme to promote the province’s pink salt industry, employment and exports, while also announcing the establishment of a 110-acre Pink Salt Mineral Processing Zone near Quaidabad.

During a briefing at the launch ceremony, officials said the proposed processing zone will house more than 200 industrial units. Investment of around $150 million is expected, creating direct employment opportunities for approximately 10,000 people. A Business Facilitation Centre and a model retail outlet will also be established to support investors.

According to the briefing, new investors will be able to obtain interest-free loans ranging from Rs5 million to Rs50 million for pink salt processing, grinding, refining, cleaning and packaging. The repayment period has been set at five years.

Officials said value addition in the pink salt sector could generate up to $300 million in annual foreign exchange earnings. They added that bids worth Rs471 million were received in the first phase, while offers totalling Rs2.5 billion have so far been received in the second phase. They also said the digitisation of lease and licence auctions by the Mines and Minerals Department has significantly increased revenue.

Addressing the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said the Chief Minister Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme would create new employment opportunities, increase government revenue and boost global exports of Pakistani pink salt.

She said value addition would significantly increase exports of packaged, processed and decorative pink salt products, adding that pink salt would now carry the label “Made in Pakistan.”

The chief minister said the country’s natural resources are a national trust and will be protected with complete integrity. She added that Punjab has been blessed by God with some of the world’s finest pink salt reserves and that Pakistani pink salt enjoys a distinguished global reputation because of its unique mineral composition and high quality.

She also invited investors to submit online applications through the Mines and Minerals Department’s website.