Clarification: ‘Minister never sought duty waiver’

Spokesperson of Privatisation Commission denies that the minister sought a duty waiver on import of bullet proof cars.

The spokesperson for the Privatisation Commission, Tahir Parwaz, has denied that the privatisation minister sought a duty waiver on the import of bullet proof cars, in response to a report published by The Express Tribune on December 30.

The spokesperson also dispelled the impression created through the report and termed it as contrary to facts as the minister himself assured the reporter that he would pay all duties which were mentioned in the report. Despite a clarification by an official of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) quoted in the report, the import of bulletproof vehicles is subject to duties irrespective of official or private purpose. However, the prime minister and the FBR have the authority to waive them.

The spokesperson said that in this case, the minister did not seek a duty waiver from the prime minister or the FBR. Although, being a cabinet member, he could have availed this facility as availed by other cabinet members and parliamentarians of other political parties. But, he categorically said that he will pay all duties if he proceeds on the matter.

The spokesperson said that any citizen has the right to purchase and use any kind of vehicle and personal vehicles never involve government expenses for fuel etc even if the owner was a minister or held an official post.

The spokesperson also clarified that in accordance with the law for purchasing bullet proof vehicles by the minister and his family members, the interior ministry was sent separate requests for obtaining a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC). The requests were just followed through a reminder and were never meant to avail any duty waiver.

Our correspondent adds:

A common citizen cannot use the office of a federal secretary of BPS-22 to apply for an NOC to import a bulletproof vehicle. An official request for an NOC to import a bulletproof vehicle has an in-built mechanism for a duty waiver. The secretary wrote a letter for three bulletproof vehicles. The reporter stands by his story.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2011.