Ordinances laid before lower house

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government Wednesday laid three ordinances related to tax amnesty scheme before the National Assembly amid protest by the opposition members.

Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan laid the ordinances – ‘The Foreign Assets (Declaration and Repatriation) Ordinance, 2018 (No. III of 2018),’ ‘The Voluntary Declaration of Domestic Assets Ordinance, 2018 (No. IV of 2018)’ and ‘The Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 (No. V of 2018)’ – before the House.

The opposition members said that the outgoing PML-N government should not present budget for next fiscal year. While raising objections to ordinances, Syed Naveed Qamar belonging of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) said that the PML-N government should make these ordinances part of the finance bill in budget 2018-19, which would be presented in Parliament after 15 days.

He said the President promulgated tax amnesty scheme ordinances just a day prior to start of the Senate session and summoning of the National Assembly session. “This proves that the government does not give importance to the Parliament. We reject the tax amnesty scheme of the government,” he declared.

He said that there are only a few days left in completion of present government’s tenure, adding that it ought to have authorized the next government for bringing changes in taxes.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that the government disgraced the Parliament by promulgating ordinances after summoning the sessions of the Senate and National Assembly which is indicative of its mala fide intention.

He was of the view that the government wants to protect money launderers, corrupt people, thieves and a special segment of society through this scheme.

The PTI leader said that the government should broaden the direct tax net, adding that tax amnesty scheme should be a part of the finance bill.

He said it is the first government which is presenting sixth budget of the country. He said that only 45 days are left in the government’s tenure but the government is presenting budget for the next 12 months, which is unacceptable.

Sahibzada Tariq Ullah of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) said the government should have made tax amnesty scheme a part of the upcoming budget. He said the government has introduced the tax amnesty scheme to protect money launderers and corrupt people.

Sheikh Salahuddin of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) said his party rejects the said scheme. He said the government degraded the Parliament while promulgating ordinances. He said the government should give relief to the people and pay attention to direct tax.

Responding to the concerns of opposition members regarding recently announced tax reforms package, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Miftah Ismail said it is a historic and “fantastic” package wherein unprecedented relief has been given to the salaried class by substantially reducing tax rates.

He said, “We are not allowing any proceed of money laundering, theft and corruption but it is only for tax evaders. We took a bold step and reduced tax rate of job holders and gave 10 to 15 percent pay raise. We reduced tax rate for middle class people.”

“We are tightening the laws. We are placing checks on inwards and outwards movement of money,” he declared. He said the scheme is aimed at broadening the tax base, adding that it will help attract more investment and spur industrial activity in the country.