Controversy copter bill gets Assembly’s nod

Unanimously adopts resolution seeking tax exemption in all merged districts until 2033

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday passed an "aircraft, helicopter bill" that allows its use by the functionaries of the government amid opposition protest and criticism.

The opposition tried its best to resist the passage of the bill and staged a protest in front of speaker’s dais demanding further discussion in the relevant standing committee.

Minister for Labour Shaukat Yousafzai moved the bill in the house with Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani in the chair.

Inayatullah Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami said that the bill would allow everyone to use the aircraft, and helicopter at public expense like a 'Raksha', adding that the passing of such bill would have adverse effects in the future.

He said that the provincial government should discuss it with the law department and Advocate General.Ikhtiar Wali of PMLN said that the provincial government should pass the law for the welfare of the 40 million population of the province rather for PTI and their blue eyed.

He said that the province was already indebted of Rs1,000 billion and the government intended not to be questioned about the illegal expenses of billions of rupees incurred on helicopters since 2008 at any stage now and in the future.

Parliamentary Leader of ANP Sardar Hussain Babak said that the opposition would request Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's government to reconsider the bill and reject it as the opposition parties had severe reservations over it.

Meanwhile, the opposition members chanted slogans against the PTI provincial government and shouted "Shame, Shame" and "PTI seeking NRO".

The PTI government had tabled a legislative bill in the provincial legislature to allow the use of aircraft or helicopters by the functionaries of the government at public expenses.

The piece of legislation named KP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the House last week.Under the bill, the chief minister could hire an aircraft or helicopter from the open market or from Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force or Federal Government for official use, at public expenses.

On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking tax exemption in all the merged districts till 2033 to provide relief to the local people and business community.

The resolution moved by Inayatullah of Jamat-e-Islami said that after merger of erstwhile FATA and PATA into KP the federal government gave an exemption in tax till 2023, adding that unfortunately the merged districts remained struck in different natural calamities including earthquake, floods, and corona pandemic during the last two decades.

He said that the recent incidents of law and order further aggravated the situation in these areas thus forcing the business community to leave the merged district for safe places.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2022.