The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has delayed the sessions of the National Assembly and Senate, which were scheduled for today (Friday) and Monday (April 15), respectively, for introducing the first tax amnesty scheme through a presidential ordinance. According to sources, both the sessions of the National Assembly and Senate would be held on April 22. The National Assembly session will continue during Ramazan as it will remain in session at least for three weeks for the sake of mandatory days.
When contacted, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ijaz Ahmad Shah told Business Recorder that both the sessions of the National Assembly and Senate have been delayed. He said that now the sessions of both Houses of the Parliament would be held on April 22. Asked if the reason behind the delay was to introduce tax amnesty scheme through the promulgation of the Presidential ordinance, he replied, "It may be." The presidential ordinance cannot be promulgated when any one or both the Houses of the Parliament are in session.
Under Article 89(1) of the Constitution, "The President may, except when the (Senate or) National Assembly is in session, if satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action, make and promulgate an ordinance as the circumstances may require"
The PTI government has announced that it will introduce a tax amnesty scheme. Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved, in principle, the first tax amnesty scheme after hewas briefed by Federal Finance Minister Asad Umar at a meeting here on Monday last. The Finance Minister has already said that the government is going to launch a tax amnesty scheme, urging all those who have not yet declared their assets to take advantage of the scheme.
According to sources, tax amnesty scheme may be implemented through a presidential ordinance on April 15. The first tax amnesty scheme of the incumbent government will provide people with the means to legitimise all kinds of offshore and onshore undeclared assets. The sources said that initially, the assets declaration scheme will be implemented for 45 days.