PPP set to table flood tax bill today

MQM's reservations on the tax come under discussion, in the meeting attended by 62 parliamentarians.

KARACHI: The Sindh government is expected to table a bill on the imposition of the flood surcharge tax, during the Sindh Assembly session starting from today (Friday).

During the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) parliamentary committee meeting at the CM House on Thursday, PPP leader Pir Mazharul Haq emphasised the need to impose the tax, sources privy to the ruling party told The Express Tribune.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s reservations on the tax also came under discussion, in the meeting attended by 62 parliamentarians.  Once again, PPP members decided that they would take all coalition partners, including the MQM, into confidence so that the bill can be passed unanimously.

The government’s proposal to impose a one-time tax has triggered much debate in the province. The PPP’s coalition partner in the Sindh government, MQM, has strongly opposed the tax.

Others parties, including the Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League (F) and National Peoples Party (NPP) have supported the government’s proposal to finance rehabilitation of the flood-affected people and rebuild damaged infrastructure in the province. The tax is supposed to be imposed on agriculture, property, registration of vehicles, registration of security companies as well as on the purchase of weapons.  Sources further said that members have strictly been directed not to criticise the role of the government in the floods, and avoid making allegations against different parties. During the meeting, a strategy for the session was devised and members were asked to complete the quorum so the session could continue uninterrupted.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2010.