Tag: amendments

  • Seven ruling MNAs to vote against constitutional amendments: Barrister Gohar

    Seven ruling MNAs to vote against constitutional amendments: Barrister Gohar

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Khan on Thursday claimed that seven Members of National Assembly (MNAs) from the ruling coalition will vote against the twenty-sixth constitutional amendment.

    “The government’s numbers are only complete in their books. The government neither consulted its members nor answered them out of fear,” Barrister Gohar Khan told Geo News.

    He claimed Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari may also know that his parliamentary members are not going to vote in favour of the government’s proposed amendments, adding, “Government members said they will not vote even if they are disqualified.

    The twenty-sixth constitutional amendments aim to establish a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) and fix judges’ tenure to three years.

    To pass the constitutional amendment, the government is reportedly short of 13 votes in the National Assembly (NA) and nine in the Upper House (Senate).

  • JUI-F leader questions need for secrecy in constitutional amendments

    JUI-F leader questions need for secrecy in constitutional amendments

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah has questioned the need for secrecy in the constitutional amendment drafts that were being prepared for voting in parliaments.

    Appearing in the Geo News programme Geo Pakistan, Hamdullah expressed concern over constitutional amendments, stating, “The coalition parties and opposition parties are completely unaware of the constitutional package that the government proposed. The real draft of the amendments is hidden.”

    He remarked that if the amendments are in Pakistan’s interest, why is the government being secretive.

    He further said, “Poori hakumat Maulana Fazlur Rehman kay haan ya na par khari hai,” and asked suspiciously, Do the amendments aim to make the judiciary independent or control it?

    Responding to party dispute with the incumbent government over proposed amendments, he clarified, “JUI-F’s basic disagreement over constitutional amendments is based on judges extension. JUI-F will answer if the government share a draft with us.”

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Advisor for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has declared meetings with Chief JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman productive.

    Speaking with the media in the parliament house, Sanaullah disclosed that the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto, along with Chief JUI-F Rehman, have decided to widen the scope of consultation, which Sanaullah declared beneficial for democracy.

  • Govt to maintain 18% GST rate in upcoming budget 2023-24

    Govt to maintain 18% GST rate in upcoming budget 2023-24

    In the forthcoming budget for 2023-24, it is anticipated that the government will maintain the current standard rate of General Sales Tax (GST) at 18 per cent. Additionally, efforts are being made by the government to increase the rates of withholding taxes, where applicable, with the aim of augmenting tax revenues.

    Another aspect being considered is the implementation of amendments for retailers, with the objective of including a larger number of businesses within the tax bracket. It is worth noting that previous schemes designed to entice retailers into the tax system have proved unsuccessful over the past few decades.

    According to The News, various proposals are currently being deliberated upon for the imposition of Minimum Asset Tax (MAT) on both movable and immovable assets. However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been advised to seek constitutional validation for these proposed taxation measures in order to avoid potential legal disputes.

    Moreover, the government is exploring options to enhance documentation within the property sector, as part of its ambitious goal to achieve a tax collection target ranging between Rs9 and Rs9.2 trillion for the upcoming budget.

    These proposals were thoroughly discussed in a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, which focused on budgetary considerations within the Finance Division. Present at the meeting were State Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Chairman of the Reforms and Resource Mobilization Commission (RRMC) Ashfaq Yousuf Tola, the finance secretary, FBR chairman, and other senior officials from the Finance Division and FBR.

    During the meeting, FBR Chairman Asim Ahmad provided a comprehensive presentation on the budgetary proposals for the Federal Budget 2023-24.