Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi turned down government’s request to approve an ordinance, seeking to imposing new taxes to raise additional revenue in line with conditions of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive stalled $ 6.5 billion bailout package.

According to an official statement issued by President House, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar called on President and apprised him of progress in talks with IMF and all modalities that had been agreed upon. Alvi appreciated efforts of government for negotiating an agreement with International Monetary Fund and assured that state of Pakistan would stand by government’s commitments in this regard, it added.

ریاست ِپاکستان حکومت کی جانب سے آئی ایم ایف کے ساتھ کیے گئے وعدوں پر قائم رہے گی، صدر مملکت

حکومت ایک آرڈیننس جاری کرکے ٹیکسوں کے ذریعے اضافی ریونیو اکٹھا کرنا چاہتی ہے، وزیر خزانہ

اس اہم موضوع پر پارلیمنٹ کو اعتماد میں لینا زیادہ مناسب ہوگا ، صدر مملکت pic.twitter.com/kTcpx9VctA

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 14, 2023

Minister informed that government wanted to raise additional revenue through taxes by promulgating an ordinance. However, President advised that it would be more appropriate to take Parliament into confidence on this important subject and that session be called immediately so that bill was enacted without delay.Government has so far met two prior actions of increasing electricity and gas prices, which were set by IMF along with other conditions, for reaching staff-level agreement.

Meanwhile President Dr Alvi summoned seperate sessions of National Assembly and Senate under Article 54 (1) today. Finance Bill (mini budget) will be tabled for final nod of PDM government.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 15 2023

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