Income tax overhaul bill tabled

Senators asked to share suggestions

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate has formally asked its members to share their suggestions on the Income Tax (Third Amendment) Bill 2025.

The directive came during Friday’s session, presided over by Senator Shahadat Awan.

At the start of the sitting, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry placed a copy of the amendment bill before the House. Following its submission, the chair instructed senators to submit their written proposals to the Senate Secretariat by Monday.

Senator Shahadat Awan further announced that the Standing Committee on Finance will examine the bill and present its report within ten days. The committee’s recommendations will form the basis of the Senate’s formal advice on the legislation.

Once the Senate reviews and approves its recommendations, the bill will be forwarded to the National Assembly for further consideration.

The upper house forwarded the Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Bill 2025 to the concerned standing committee for examination.

The decision came during the Senate session held in Islamabad.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation, Muhammad Ali, moved the motion seeking approval of the bill in the same form already passed by the National Assembly.

He briefed the House on the purpose of the amendment and requested that it be endorsed without changes.

After the motion was presented, Senate Chairman Senator Shahadat Awan directed that the bill be sent to the relevant committee. The committee will now review the proposed amendments and submit its report to the House before the next stage of legislation.

The Senate has approved a motion to send the Journalists and Media Professionals Protection Bill 2025 to a joint sitting of parliament.

The Senate was informed that the federal government has taken multiple measures — prior to and following devolution — to support the promotion of tourism in Chitral, though the primary responsibility now rests with the provinces.

Responding to a question, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, tourism was devolved to provincial governments.