Jovago’s tips on solving travel problems

If you’re a nervous flyer or suffer from Aviophobia (the fear of flying), we have a solution for you!

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1. Carry distractions with you such as novels, music or a friend. A new app called “Am I Going Down?” uses aviation statistics to analyze the odds a flight will crash. Download this prior to your flight and your worries should disappear!

2. Your wallet is stolen? Jovago can help solve this problem by saving you through online check-in’s and payments. This way, if you lose some money, you’ll still have paid for your stay!

3. You missed your flight? Stay calm and do not freak out. Converse with the airline politely and they will book you on the next flight available or accommodate you in a hotel. For future flights, keep a backup alarm and if staying at a hotel, ask them to remind you also!

4. Your hotel is disappointing? If you’re unsatisfied with your hotel, Jovago will find you the next best option with a better deal transforming your stay in seconds!

5. You’re unable to find a cheap flight? Check out Jovago’sarticle about top travel app’s to follow! One of our favorites is Sky scanner that will always help you search for the cheapest option.

6. Communication barrier? If you fear not being understood in a foreign country that could lead to problems, do not worry! Jovago ensures that local travel advisors help you find your best accommodation in your language.

7. Not being able to afford your vacation? This is a common problem that we have faced continuously, but has now been solved. Jovago will help you budget your trip, so you are able to stay in a cheap but luxurious hotel. Reviews on our website help you locate inexpensive places to dine and visit.

8. If I travel alone, won’t I get bored? Not at all! Jovago’s blog has covered monumental cities around           the world providing you with a list of places to explore. This ensures that your trip will be packed               with adventure, food and a culturally fulfilling experience

Netizens spend a fun Sunday around Lahore with Careem (the online car service facility)

 Careem Hosts a Scavanger Hunt in Lahore

Careem, the new addition to the online car service facility in Pakistan organized a scavenger hunt in Lahore. Careem is basically an app based car service provider which facilitates the customers at their fingertips.

Careem is currently operating in two major cities in Pakistan, one is Lahore and the other one is Karachi and soon they will be spreading out to other cities as well. Careem app is available on both, Google Play Store for Android Users and Apple Store for iOSusers. Besides booking through Careem app, customers can also book their rides through their call center service. So it’s really manageable at times when you don’t have access to internet. Careem provides its customers to book their ride at their convenient time, like a person can book the ride just right now or at some later time as well. Booking the ride through the app is really easy all you have to do is to let know the Careem Captain(Chauffer) your booking time, pick up and drop off location through map. Careem will provide you with an estimated cost of your journey, the rates of this service is also quite affordable just Rs. 25/Km.

Careem Scavenger Hunt was really an interesting activity. The basic idea about the recent scavenger hunt in Lahore was to let everyone experience their service in real. Media related personals attended the event and participated in the scavenger hunt in person.

There were six teams comprising of three members each which participated in the scavenger hunt. Clue cards were given to each team to reach the specific location within Lahore according to clues. The rules of the hunt were quite simple; each member has to book the ride at least once, a new booking has to be made for every location, a promo code was given to every team and they have to use that promo code to book the ride. Picture of every location has to be uploaded on facebook with hashtags #CareemHunt #CareemPak with location check in.

 Team Green won the scavenger hunt whereas, team Red  and team Yellow won the runner up position. All the teams received various gift vouchers. The cars were really neat and clean; the chauffeur was quick and on time and the location was almost accurate. It was really a great experience to travel through Careem. Careem’s aim is not only to provide transportation services but of really exceptional, quick and comfortable service to the community.

Need stressed for single digit sales tax to enhance tax base

Islamabad,4th February 2016: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) organized a seminar on sales tax on services and inter-provincial harmonization. A large number of business community and tax professionals attended the event.

The event highlighted that after the passage of 18th amendment to the constitution, three provinces except for Baluchistan, have established their own tax authorities for collection of sales tax on services, however, the issues like overlapping between federal & provincial tax authorities and double taxation were creating problems for taxpayers. They were of the opinion that federal government should have drafted a framework within which provinces could tax services. They said without cross provincial consensus and inter-provincial harmonization on tax collection of sales tax on services, there would be issues of double taxation and excessive administration burden both on the businesses and tax authorities.

The experts observed that very high tax rates in Pakistan were promoting culture of tax evasion and government should focus on low tax rates for enhancing tax base and improving tax revenue of the country. The businessmen said that tax regime in Pakistan was very complicated with multiple tax rates as taxpayers were paying almost 10 different taxes in addition to many indirect taxes. They said businessmen wanted to pay tax, but high taxes and difficult tax system were the main hurdle in better tax compliance. They said government should simplify tax system and introduce single digit sales tax rate in order to attract more taxpayers into the tax net.

Atif Ikram Sheikh President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in his welcome address said that positive changes were happening gradually in the tax system and stressed that government should make tax policies in consultation with trade bodies by addressing their key concerns on tax matters.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury ACCA’s Head of Global Taxation, Arif Masud Mirza Regional Head of Policy MENASA ACCA Hammad Siddiqui Acting Country Director Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Muhammad Yasir Technical Advisor Tax Compliance FBR and others also addressed the event and called for simplified tax system. It was stressed that SMEs should also focus on improving their financial management skills to deal with tax matters more effectively. It was urged that educating taxpayers including SMEs on tax compliance was key to promote tax culture and improve tax revenue. Experts stressed that trade bodies across the country should play their role for improving tax compliance and minimizing informal economy.

7 Misconceptions about the Internet

Life in today’s world is incomplete without internet access. Don’t we all agree with it, definitely! Although we can’t function without wireless internet but how many of us know the basics about it, if not technicalities. Jovago.com has identifies some major misconceptions about the internet. Let’s look at and try to clear them out.

1. The former vice president Al Gore invented the Internet. Although he did play a fundamental role in its creation, he never meant to take sole credit for the creation of the Internet. Unfortunately, during an interview his words were wrongly phrased.

2. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is tracking your Internet use. An ISP is your local link to the worldwide computer network. However, for an ISP to save the web histories of every user would be too expensive and a huge invasion of privacy.

3. The Internet is filled with sexual predators and wary parents want to inhibit their child from using it. The Internet has provided another medium for pedophiles to find children, but instead of banning children from social media, they should be taught to maintain healthy relationships.

4. Everything you read on the Internet is true. This is completely false. The Internet houses several social media and news publication sites, and the distinction between Fox News and the New York Times proves that every side has a different argument and some facts may not be true.

5. The Internet will make you rich! This is almost always a spam. Have any of you received a message along the lines of ‘If you do not share this within the next 24 hours Bill Gates won’t give you $1000 dollars?’ Those who have shared it now that, the outcome is not true.

6. Web cookies are dangerous and should be avoided! Cookies are plain text files which a website can store on your computer with information to manage your browsing. They cannot access or modify files or settings on your computer. Generally they are quite helpful keeping you logged in to your favorite websites saving you from having to enter your login data every time you visit.

7. The web is the Internet. The Internet came into existence on January 1st 1983 and the web was invented in 1989. The World Wide Web is made up of servers and clients (Google Chrome and Safari) that display the page. The Internet is the set of technologies beneath the web that enable the web to exist. If the Internet didn’t exist, the web would not be able to function; if the web didn’t exist, the Internet still would.

Celebrating Kashmir Day

Kashmir Day is also known as Kashmir Solidarity Day and is celebrated on the 5th of February. This annual national holiday is observed not only in Azad Kashmir but throughout Pakistan.

Different political parties considered this day to be celebrated as a national holiday. The idea was first proposed in 1990 and after many considerations, it was collectively declared as a public holiday to be celebrated every year throughout Pakistan.

The holiday holds enormous significance and is marked by public processions, special prayers in mosques for the liberty of Kashmir and protests that are carried out against the Indian domination of Kashmir.Solidarity rallies are held in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and in the United Kingdom by Mirpuri Kashmiris.

Another hallmark of this day is the formation of a human chain on all six major bridges leading to Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) from Pakistan. People gather together and stand in rows holding hands, reassuring the Kashmiris that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom.

The day provides recognition to the support, that Pakistan provided when the people of Indian-administered Kashmir, were struggling for their freedom. It pays homage to Kashmiri martyrs who lost their lives fighting for Kashmir’s ongoing struggle for freedom.

The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir was claimed by India and, as of 2010, administers approximately 43% of the region. They control Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, Ladakh, and the Siachen Glacier. India’s claims are opposed by Pakistan, which administers approximately 37% of Kashmir, namely Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.

The Kashmir valley is symbolically referred to as “paradise on earth”. The valley is shown in modern art as being overwhelmed by flames, depicting unrest, uproar and peril in heaven. Speaking of heaven, Kashmir is one of the top tourist places in Pakistan that one must visit. The beauty that can be experienced in Kashmir is exceptional.

In 2016, take out one minute from your day to pray for Kashmir and support them. This moment of silence is for the martyrs that rest in peace and those people who continue to fight for their freedom. Or, you may also plan a trip to Kashmir and celebrate the day with the natives.

Kashmir day falls on a Friday this year, making the coming weekend a long one. It is very common for Pakistanis to utilize every long weekend. Then why not use this precise holiday to travel to the north and give Kashmir, the land of beauty, a visit. Make your online bookings through Jovago.com for the easiest and reliable experience you could get.

Sneak Preview of Gujranwala- The City of Wrestlers

Gujranwala, also known as the city of wrestlers (pehelwaano da shehr) for giving top wrestlers to the country, is a city based in Punjab and is the 7th most populous city of Pakistan. It is one of the fastest growing cities of Pakistan and has currently become an important industrial city. The local language spoken there is purely Punjabi with Urdu and English being used as a second language. Gujranwala essentially has a hot climate but also experiences low temperatures during winters.

The city has extensive road and rail links which has helped it flourish in the industries including manufacturing and agriculture. It has a strategic roadway connecting it to other metropolitan cities of Punjab. Gujranwala is known for its extensive production of sugarcane, melons and grains for international export.

JOVAGO’S TOP 3

GurdwaraRori Sahib

GurdwaraRori Sahib is located 2 kilometers south-east of Eminabad, an old town between Lahore and Gujranwala. It is a sacred shrine and holds its significance as Guru Nanak had stayed here after the destruction of the town. It has a large pond in its locale and other stunning buildings surround it, making the site more attractive.

Nishan-e-Manzil

It is a monument which was made in the memory of soldiers who lost their lives during the wars of 1965 & 1971. Many tourists visit the place and remember the martyrs. The landscaping of Nishan-e-Manzil is beautifully done. There is also a lake for the tourists to enjoy boating activities in.

GhantaGhar

This is the famous clock tower situated in Gujranwala. It marks the center of the city and is generally very crowded. If you want to explore the city, this is an important landmark to see.

TIPS

Restaurants

You will easily find the top international food chains in Gujranwala. Apart from that, some famous Pakistani restaurants that one must try are Bundoo Khan, ShahbazTikka and Royal garden that not only have great food but also good ambience.

Shopping

Mall 1, PACE and Aleena shopping malls are the most famous for shopping where you can find anything you would need to buy.

Hotels

If you are planning a last minute trip to Gujranwala, you can easily access Jovago.com, browse, select and book a hotel for your stay out of the many reasonable options present. You will find the best price guaranteed.

Session on Sales tax on services and the contours of inter-provincial harmony held

03rd February 2016, Lahore: ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a session on Sales tax on services and the contours of inter-provincial harmony.

The session talked about equilibrium with the indirect taxes on the supply of goods. It is the more patchwork contours of Pakistan’s post the 18^th amendment to the constitution that now presents us with shifting tectonic jurisdictions on sales tax on services.

Each province barring Baluchistan, have now passed their own statute for sales tax on services. First out of the starting blocks was Sindh with their Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act 2011, followed closely by the Punjab Sales Tax on Services Act 2012 and on the outside lane theKP Finance Act 2013.

Speaking at the ACCA/CIPE/LCCI event Sales tax on services and inter-provincial harmonisationChas Roy-Chowdhury, ACCA’s head of global taxation said “Europe has had to deal with cross border VAT complexities over many years. The single currency market and open border trade policies allow for the free movement of goods and services, but the principle of input tax at the port of import applies. Each EU member has their own rate from 15 to 27%. Wherever the purchase occurs in the supply chain that is where the VAT is paid.”

Chas further said that sound principles must be followed. “A supply of services is the supply of anything that is not a good. The general rule for determining the place of supply is the place where the supplier of the services is established (or "belongs"), such as an office where the service is supplied, the supplier's permanent address, or where the supplier usually resides. VAT is then charged at the rate applicable in the member state where the place of supply of the services is located and is collected by that member state.

This general rule for the place of supply of services (the place where the supplier is established) is subject to several exceptions. Most of the exceptions switch the place of supply to the place where the services are received.”

Rather it may have better planned for the federal government to draft a framework within which provinces could tax services. Without cross provincial consensus on supply of services confusion may lead to double taxation, excessive administration burden on both the businesses and tax authorities.

Also speaking at the event Hammad Siddiqui, Deputy Country Director CIPE said “the chambers of commerce across the country represent a network through which traders and business can be educated to adopt legitimate sales tax practices. Tax is a cost of doing business like any other operational cost. The most businesses can do to reduce their tax burden is through proper tax planning which more often is connected with professional  financial management.”

The event was hosted by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry with whom ACCA Pakistan has a long standing MOU that encourages the sharing of knowledge. The President LCCI stated, “This event was most helpful for people interested in understanding sales tax at a provincial and federal level. It also provided an excellent opportunity for like-minded professionals to enter into a dialogue regarding concerns about the impact on sales tax on their businesses and ways to improve their tax planning.”

“These collaborative events are part of ACCA’s public value agenda. ACCA Pakistan believes in fair taxation and has always advocated tax compliance. ACCA members support businesses through proper accounting for sales tax, ensuring timely submissions of tax returns and other compliance templates and lastly helping businesses navigate current and future taxation laws and planning for the future,” said Arif Masud Mirza, Regional Head of Policy.