ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has decided to set up a special committee for consultation on amendments in Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, and approved Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2024, with the objective to expeditiously dispose of the pending tax cases.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday has also decided that the special committee will include representatives of coalition parties and will be headed by Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

At the outset of the meeting, the premier while speaking to the participants stated that after a detailed review of the current situation in the meeting held on Monday regarding the current situation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the federal government has approved provision of Rs23 billion to resolve the problems of the Kashmiri people.

He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister AJK Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, Minister of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Amir Muqam and other political leaders and government officials to resolve the issue amicably.

The federal cabinet approved the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2024, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Liquidation of appeals before IR, ATIR: Tax Laws Act to be effective from May 6

The members of these tribunals will be appointed under these rules. The meeting was informed that main objective of these tribunals is to expeditiously dispose of pending tax cases.

The federal cabinet also approved amendments to the Toshakhana Gift Rules.

Under these amendments, shields, souvenirs and other such gifts which are not retained by the recipient will be placed in any conspicuous place on the premises of the recipient’s institution and properly recorded besides it record would also be maintained.

The gifts of books that will not retain by the recipient will be kept in the recipient’s office or in a public library and a regular inventory will be prepared. Gifts which are prohibited under Pakistan laws shall be destroyed in the presence of a committee constituted by the Cabinet Division. Similarly, the honorarium of the private sector expert who estimates the gifts of Toshakhana will also be increased.

As per policy, no public office holder is allowed to keep a gift worth more than US$300; however, a gift of less than $300 can be received by paying money under the prevailing procedure.

The federal cabinet has approved the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Affairs on May 7, 2024 with direction to set up a special committee to consult on amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, which would include representatives of coalition parties. And this committee will be led by Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health, the federal cabinet has granted exemption from taxes and duties on one million bottles of Multi-Micro Nutrients supplements donated by Kirk Humanitarian America (USA) and Junaid Family Foundation, USA for pregnant women.

The federal cabinet has approved the amendment in clause 3 (1) e of the Investment Ombudsman’s appointment rules on the recommendation of the Federal Law and Justice. Under this amendment, a degree in commerce, finance or other related field is mandatory for the post of investment ombudsman.

The federal cabinet approved the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee in its meeting held on May 7, 2024.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024

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