Islamabad (April 11, 2018): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday have refused to accept the Amnesty scheme after it was presented in the National Assembly.
During a speech, PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the scheme is announced for those who want to loot the country. Our party has decided to oppose the ordinance, he asserted.
PTI leader said that the government indirectly relied on tax, however, it should have also done something for direct taxation. He further demanded to include the scheme in upcoming budget if it is that much effective, adding that it’s the first government to present six budgets in five years.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that State Bank and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are also feeling hesitation while accepting it.
Meanwhile, PPP leader Naveed Qamar said that the ordinance is inappropriate and asked why should the people trust PML-N as it is not giving any relief.
Earlier, National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning atrocities perpetrated on innocent Kashmiri by the Indian security forces in occupied Kashmir.
The resolution moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs Barjees Tahir demanded the international community implement the UNSC resolutions that promise right of self-determination to Kashmiri people.
The resolution urged the government to request the Human Rights Council in Geneva to send a fact finding mission to the occupied valley to investigate the human rights violations.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that Pakistan wants honorable and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Responding to questions of members in the National Assembly on Wednesday, he said there are currently fifty four refugee camps in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which are providing the facility of transit to the terrorists.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistan is strongly highlighting Kashmir dispute at international fora including UN, Human Rights Commission and OIC.
About the US air and defense attaché who recently hit and killed a motorcyclist in the federal capital, the foreign minister said the US diplomat is still in Pakistan. He said the US embassy has assured full cooperation in the investigation. He said action will be taken in accordance with law.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry laid before the house “The Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2018. The chair referred the bill to the relevant committee for further consideration.
The house today passed two bills.
These are COMSATS University Islamabad bill, 2018 and the Institute of Art and Culture Bill, 2018.
Responding to the concerns of the opposition members over the recently announced tax reforms package, Adviser on Finance Miftah Ismail said it is a historic and fantastic package in which unprecedented relief has been given to the salaried class by substantially reducing the tax rates.
He wondered why the PPP and the PTI are protesting over the tax reduction which has given raise of ten to fifteen percent in salaries to the employees.
The adviser also clarified that proceeds of criminal activities or corruption cannot benefit from the tax amnesty scheme. He said the scheme is aimed at increasing the tax base and it will help attract more investment and spur industrial activity in the country.
The house will now meet tomorrow morning at 10:30.
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