ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s (NA) Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Tuesday expressed displeasure over the absence of secretary finance, president of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and representative of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in the meeting.
The committee, meeting of which was held under the chairmanship of MNA Faiz Ullah, directed the secretary committee for issuance of displeasure note to all the concerned.
The committee reiterated that Legislative Business (Government Bills) would not be considered without the attendance of the adviser for finance in the committee meeting, according to press statement issued here which added that the committee members were also of the view that minister in-charge should be invited in the meeting.
On the occasion, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while briefing the committee about the scam that occurred at Torkham Border, said that the joint investigation team (JIT) had submitted its report on May 18, 2020.
According to the JIT’s findings, around 113 vehicles were identified to have crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan wherein neither goods declaration not record for deposit of leviable duties/taxes were found, accordingly criminal cases/FIR were lodged against the culprits.
After detailed discussion the committee noted that delay to finalise the report in this respect would be against the prevailing of justice and also identified administrative loopholes and procedures adopted by the custom authorities at Torkham Border.
The chairman assured the committee that report on the subject matter would be concluded in a month time and directed the FBR to share the details regarding the officers and officials involved in the said scam including the actions taken by the FBR against them.
Meanwhile, Member (Inland Revenue) Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed briefed the committee about the fire incident occurred in Faisalabad RTO Office.
The committee directed that legal action against the culprits should be accelerated while the chairman of the committee appreciated the role of chief commissioner of the RTO Office in Islamabad.
The committee also expressed displeasure on the examination of valuation, rulings and procedures adopted by the customs authorities.
Some members of the committee were of the grave concern about the role of director valuation. Shafiq Ahmed Latki, the director valuation of customs explained his position for determining of valuation.
However, the committee directed the FBR chairman to look into the complaints received with regard to valuation and ruling issued by the director valuation. The committee also referred the matter to the sub-committee already appointed under the convenership of MNA Faheem Khan.
The committee also discussed a calling attention regarding deduction of 5 per cent maintenance allowance from the salaries of the federal government employees working in BPS-6 to BPS-15.
It directed the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Works and Ministry of Interior to coordinate with the mover for resolving the matter at the earliest.
Among others, the meeting was attended by MNAs Makhdoom Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani, Jamil Ahmed Khan, Faheem Khan, Aftab Hussain Siddique, Chaudhary Khalid Javed, Ali Perviz, Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Nafisa Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ali Nawaz Awan.
The meeting was also attended by the senior officers from Ministries of Finance and Revenue, Law and Justice, FBR and NBP.
