PML-Q to vote against RGST in National Assembly

Chaudhry Shujaat says party will vote against RGST and not stage a walk out.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) on Saturday announced that the party will vote against the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) in the National Assembly and will not stage a walk out.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, senior party leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain claimed that some political parties had made certain demands and if their demands were met by the government, they would vote for the RGST.

Shujaat also said the government should explain how the RGST will not burden the poor. He went on to say that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had earlier voted in favour of the RGST in the Council of Common Interest meeting.

The PML-Q leader said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had offered to walk-out from the Senate during the RGST voting if the PML-Q supported their demand of imposing tax on agricultural income.

Earlier, the PML-Q  had staged a walkout in senate, paving the way for the passing of recommendations by the Senate through a voice count, despite opposition from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami (JUI) from the treasury and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamaat-e-Islmai (JI) from the opposition benches, along with other smaller political parties.

Read the complete RGST bill here.