PPP to challenge tax amnesty scheme in parliament: Rabbani

KARACHI: Former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Friday said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would challenge the ruling government’s tax amnesty scheme in the parliament, adding that there was no need to move courts for the cause.

Speaking to reporters along with other PPP leaders in Karachi, he said that there was no need to approach courts to challenge the scheme when there was a pertinent forum for the cause in the shape of parliament.

The PPP senator termed the amnesty scheme a license to earn black money.

Both opposition parties, PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have rejected the amnesty scheme and tax reforms. Fawad Chaudhry, the PTI spokesperson, said that the government only wanted to facilitate those through this scheme who have earned black money.

However, the PTI announced that it would move court to challenge the amnesty scheme.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced the tax amnesty scheme and said that it was for those who were not paying income tax, hoping that the move would increase tax base and revenue.

Addressing a press conference in the federal capital after a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council, he said that a decision had been taken to introduce a five-point amendment package on income tax.

He said that the low number of taxpayers was causing problems, therefore, the amnesty scheme was an effort to increase tax collection.

The premier announced a tax amnesty scheme for non-payers, however, he also clarified that the politically exposed persons and their families were not eligible to benefit from the scheme. The amnesty scheme is valid till June, he added.