The National Assembly on Friday passed a plethora of legislation including Income Tax Amendment Bill 2024 by a majority vote, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The passed legislation included: Income Tax Amendment Bill, 2024, Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Amendment Bill, 2024, the Extradition Amendment Bill, 2025, Pakistan Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2024, The Naturalization Amendment Bill, 2024, the Civil Servants Amendment Bill, 2025 and the Anti-Dumping Duties Amendment Bill, 2025.
The citizenship-related bills were presented by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, while the Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill was introduced by Jam Kamal.
Although the opposition raised some objections, the bills were passed due to the government's numerical strength in the assembly.
No new taxes imposed on tobacco crop or landowners: Minister
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that no new regulations or taxes have been imposed on the tobacco crop or landowners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The government is committed to the promotion of agriculture and to providing all necessary facilities to farmers.
Speaking in the National Assembly in response to concerns raised by Syed Waseem and Asad Qaiser regarding the tax on tobacco crop, the minister informed the House that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government believes in the development of agriculture and in supporting farmers.
He said that two major multinational tobacco companies pay Rs250 billion in taxes and hold a 44% market share, while local companies hold a 56% share but contribute only slightly more than 3% in taxes.
The minister said that there is an estimated tax gap of Rs200–300 billion in the tobacco sector.
Azam Tarar reiterated that no new regulations or taxes have been imposed on tobacco crops or landowners. However, government oversight begins when the crop moves into the processing phase.
He mentioned that there are some proposals regarding raw tobacco and assured that the government is aware of the challenges faced by farmers.
The minister emphasized that agriculture plays a vital role in the national economy and that the prime minister has given special attention to improving seeds and plant protection.
Azam said that industries earning profits have a responsibility to contribute their fair share to the national treasury.
Rehab work on Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower
The National Assembly was informed on Friday that rehabilitation work on Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project will begin following an investigation into the collapse of its two tunnels.
Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Mueen Wattoo told the House during Question Hour that the final report from the three committees on the project is expected in about a week’s time. He said the rehabilitation work will be completed within two years.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary told the House that the federal government is formulating wheat policy for next year to incentivize wheat farmers and encourage the private sector to invest in wheat sector supply chain.
Minister for Housing and Works Riaz Hussain Pirzada said that work on housing schemes has been accelerated. He said we have also entered into partnerships with the private sector for the development of housing projects.
Minister of State for National Health Services Mukhtar Ahmad Malik in his remarks, said there is no shortage of medicines. He said manufacturing of generic drugs is being encouraged and facilitated as these are cheaper than the branded drugs.
The House has now been adjourned to meet again on Monday at five pm.
Reporter Rozina Ali