ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Wednesday granted a six-month tax exemption on the import of oxygen gas and allied equipment as the country battles a third wave of the coronavirus, with the number of patients requiring oxygen rising to 5,211 for the first time since the pandemic began last February.
Pakistan registered 4,113 new cases and 119 deaths during the last 24 hours, according to official data.
The government says it has enhanced oxygen production capacity from 484 metric tons in June last year to 792 metric tons today, and added 7,000 oxygen beds and 7,000 beds with ventilators to the health system over the last 12 months.
On Wednesday, the country’s top economic body, the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet, approved a summary moved by the Ministry of Industries and Production regarding the exemption of duties and taxes on the import of oxygen gas, cylinders and cryogenic tanks by oxygen concentrators, generators and manufacturing plants for a period of 180 days.
The government said the tax exemptions would help “cope with the increased requirement of oxygen during the third wave of COVID-19 in the country.”
On Wednesday, the government in Punjab also announced a complete lockdown in the province from May 8 along with the closure of public transport and tourist spots to limit public movement in the run up to the Eid Al-Fitr holiday later this month.
“Checkpoints will be set up on entry and exit points of the cities and police, [paramilitary] Rangers and army troops will be deployed on these points to check movement of the people,” a handout from the office of the chief secretary Punjab said.
Punjab health minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid urged the public to follow health guidelines, saying the next 15 to 20 days were “crucial” in the fight against the pandemic: “Be a responsible citizen by implementing precautionary measures.”
Pakistan allows six-month tax break on oxygen imports
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Pakistan allows six-month tax break on oxygen imports
- Number of patients requiring oxygen rises above 5,000 for first time since coronavirus emerged in Pakistan in February 2020
- Punjab government announces complete lockdown in province from May 8 ahead of upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
- Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions in the informal sector are made without any taxes, officials say
- The move comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports under which only digital service providers can provide services
KARACHI: Aik, Pakistan’s first Islamic digital bank, has enabled fully digital payments at Islamabad International Airport to offer travelers and passengers secure, Shariah compliant digital transaction facility.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports across the country, under which only digital service providers can provide services to customers.
Aik, a subsidiary of Bank Islami, said it has onboarded merchants across the Islamabad airport and integrated QR code deployments at key touchpoints to allow passengers and visitors to make secure, seamless, and Shariah-compliant digital transactions at all counters, retail outlets, and service points.
It said the implementation complies with the regulations and framework set by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and is a working model for a large-scale adoption of cashless systems in public infrastructure.
“This deployment reflects our commitment to building practical digital infrastructure that improves everyday transactions,” Aik Chief Officer Ashfaque Ahmed said in a statement.
“By enabling a fully cashless environment at a major national gateway, we are supporting efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion at scale. This is not only a project; it is a foundation for Pakistan’s cashless future.”
Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted in cash. Officials say many of these transactions are aimed at avoiding taxes.
In recent years, the SBP has taken steps to ensure a transition toward a more cashless economy so that transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption.
By digitizing Islamabad airport, aik said it continues to invest in secure and accessible financial solutions that “expand digital participation and support national economic modernization.”
