Clarifying position: ‘No new tax slapped on gas consumers’

Cess will provide additional finances for new projects, says PM spokesman

ISLAMABAD: Spokesman to the Prime Minister Dr Musadiq Malik has said the government is making efforts to overcome the energy crisis in the country.

Talking to a news channel, he said keeping in view the path being followed by the government, it was hoped that the crisis would be overcome in the next few years.

He said it was due to the efforts of the government that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project turned into a reality.



“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wants to open the doors of Central Asia for Pakistan and his current visit to Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan is also for the same purpose.”

Malik clarified that no new tax had been imposed on gas consumers as the bill for cess collection passed in parliament recently was already among the bills of consumers. There would be no increase in gas tariff after the passage of the bill, he remarked.

The spokesman said the bill was presented in parliament three years ago during the tenure of Pakistan Peoples Party, however, it was finalised two to three days back after some amendments.

He said the purpose of the tax was to arrange additional finances for a number of new projects being initiated in the country. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd,  2015.

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