Islamabad: A session of National Assembly to discuss Finance Supplementary) Bill, 2023 was adjourned without vote on crucial tax amendments necessary for reviving stalled International Monetary Fund programme and averting threat of default.

Session will now resume on Monday. Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf chaired session during which lawmakers criticised government for increasing burden on poor by hiking taxes. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had presented  bill in both houses of Parliament on Wednesday as government rushed to fulfil IMF’s conditions for release of a desperately needed bailout. During session, PPP’s Qadir Khan Mandokhail urged government to decrease burden on poor and instead hike taxes on luxury cars and houses. Meanwhile, MQM-P’s Salahuddin criticised Dar for being “Non-serious” about difficult conditions country was facing. “If we are allied with you today, it is only to prevent default and lift country out of economic crisis. MNA Saira Bano from Grand Democratic Alliance lashed out at government for increase in taxes, saying that it was impossible for common people to meet their essential needs due to inflation.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 18 2023

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