Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday took notice of Rs 208 billion waiver given to fertilizer sector on account of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC). Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet here, the Prime Minister directed Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan and Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Babar to come up with an explanation in this respect.
He directed them to try to clear up ambiguity surrounding the GIDC waiver and explain to the people why this tax was written off to fertilizer sector. Sources said that Prime Minister's economic team had given a details briefing on the government's decision to waive off GIDC to industrialists after ministers showed their serious reservations and raised questions on the decision to waive off GIDC.
The Prime Minister further said that people need to be informed about the actual facts related to the GIDC. The Prime Minister stressed the need for informing the people about the GIDC, saying it was not waived to benefit any individual. He said that no one would be given undue advantage. He also directed the Petroleum Division to carry out a forensic audit of fertilizer sector before waiving off the GIDC.