Media Directorate
Press Release
Islamabad, August 9, 2023
Islamabad, 9th August, 2023: Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Finance and
Revenue was held here at Parliament House on Wednesday with Senator Saleem
Mandviwalla in Chair.
The Senate Committee deliberated on selective opening of LCs to import EV cars in the
country.
Muhammad Akhtar Javed, Executive Director SBP, apprised that one window
was provided in december to facilitate port clearance, however, import ban has been
lifted in july and no LCs have been halted since then.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla
stated that targeted LCs issuance is discriminating against the manufacturers and
directed the SBP to provide level playing field to all the stakeholders.
The Senate body was briefed on claims of refund by M/S Kolachee Int (Pvt.) Ltd.
Representatives of M/S apprised that a refund application was submitted in FBR some 4
years ago for supply of unfinished goods to textile sector which falls within five zero
rated sectors.
However, the FBR has rejected the application, stating that taxpayer has
to provide evidence for the claimed supplies. The Committee directed the FBR to
investigate and promptly resolve the issue.
While discussing the issue of unlawful clearance of goods worth 847 Million USD at a
time when import ban was in effect.
Zeba Hai Azhar, Member Customs Operations, informed that the goods were of consumer nature and did not comprise any banned items, however, FBR is investigating the matter and will submit report report upon conclusion.
The Committee directed the FBR to conclude the inquiry within one month.
Moreover, as to appointment of Board Members of Competitive Commission of Pakistan
(CCP) and President of NBP and ZTBL. Officials stated that four members of CCP have
been notified and a Chairman has also been appointed among these members, which
fulfills the requirement of having a minimum of three members for effective decision
making.
In addition to that, President of NBP was appointed yesterday and discussion
for appointment of ZTBL are currently in progress and the process will be concluded in
matter time.
Furthermore, the Senate Committee took stern notice of 400 p.c. increase in tax on
payment through Debit/Credit card. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla stated that the
increase is not likely to resulin generating revenue, but rather, it will pose hurdles for
students studying abroad. Chairman FBR apprised that the increase was incorporated as
a policy within Financial Act 2023 and had been proposed by the SBP. The Committee
recommended the FBR to reduce the tax at minimum.
The meeting was attended by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Senator Saadia Abbasi,
Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Additional
Secretary Finance Division Amjad Mahmood,Chairman FBR Amjed Zubair
Tiwana,Member Customs Operations Zeba Hai Azhar, Executive Director SBP
Muhammad Akhtar Javed and other senior officers of relevant departments were also in
attendance.
Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change convened today at the Parliament
House, with Senator Seemee Ezdi in Chair.
During the meeting, the committee members were provided with an insightful briefing
by Ministry officials regarding Pakistan's holistic strategy in addressing Climate Change.
The officials expounded on the intricacies of the "National Adaptation Plan" (NAP), a
meticulously crafted blueprint resulting from extensive consultations at both Federal
and Provincial levels. The NAP stands as a visionary pathway, aimed at bolstering
Pakistan's resilience to climate challenges and fostering robust communities. Among its
primary objectives, the NAP seeks to galvanize financial resources and establish a global
fund pipeline.
It centers on the formulation of adaptive strategies and the delineation of
sectoral priorities. The plan encompasses a multitude of crucial facets, including Disaster
Risk Management, the National Clean Air Policy, the expansion of Green Pakistan,
directives on National Hazardous Waste Policy, regulations addressing Single Use Plastic,
the 2023 Climate Change Gender Action Plan (CCGAP), and more.
The NAP also unveils a
spectrum of transformative initiatives, such as the Living Indus Initiative, Recharge
Pakistan, Scaling Up of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Reduction (GLOF-II),
RED++ Readiness Initiative, Pakistan Blue Carbon Ecosystems, and Snow Leopard
Conservation.
Additionally, the Ministry officials briefed the Committee on the preparations for the
upcoming COP-28, set to convene in the UAE. They emphasized Pakistan's focal points
during COP-28, including Global Financial Architecture Reforms, an expanded scope for
grant-based global financing, leveraging the Loss and Damage Fund, doubling
adaptation finance, accelerating the commitment of providing 100 Billion USD annually
for climate initiatives, ensuring access to the Just Energy Transition Work Programme,
and the establishment and funding of early warning systems and risk reduction
mechanisms for highly vulnerable countries. The committee lauded the ministry officials
for their effective advocacy on Pakistan's behalf at the international stage.
On the consideration of point of public importance regarding the flood mitigation
measures in Pakistan raised by Senator Rubina Khalid in the Senate sitting, the
committee decided to summon provincial forest departments and the federal flood
commission for the next meeting.
A comprehensive update was furnished to the committee regarding the news of a golf
course construction within Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) near Sinyari village. Rina
Saeed from IWMB stated that ongoing demarcation of the National Park Boundary was
following court directives, adding that 138 acres of land had purportedly been allocated
by CDA for the golf course construction, a move contested as encroaching upon
Margalla National Park Land. CDA officials argued that the 138-acre was part of
Chonthra village, not the National Park—an assertion contradicted by IWMD officials.
Committee members expressed deep concerns about the encroachment on National
Park Land in Islamabad.
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman emphasized the need
for a clear demarcation of the National Park Boundary to prevent further
encroachments. She also shared her efforts to address the construction of a road
through the National Park Land, having contacted relevant authorities to halt the
unauthorized activity. IWMB officials noted that road construction was still ongoing
based on their information. The committee made recommendation for immediate
ceasure of unlawful construction.
Attending the committee meeting were Senators Taj Haider, Mushahid Hussain Sayed,
Rubina Khalid, Imamuddin Shouqeen, Keshoo Bai, Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand,
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, and officials from the
Ministry of Climate Change, CDA, and IWMB.
Islamabad; August 9, 2023:The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, under the
chairmanship of Senator Abdul Qadir, convened a meeting to discuss a range of pressing
energy matters.
Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) provided insights into the ongoing supply of Natural
Gas to Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL). MD SSGC informed the Committee
about the allocated 45MMCFD Natural gas and 10MMCFD RLNG provided to FFBL
against the demand of 68 MMCFD, stressing that these allocations are the maximum
feasible.The SSGC said their resources are quickly depleted owing to the downward
trajectory of gas production reduced from 1100 MMCFD to 750 MMCFD at present.
FFBL representatives shared their operational struggles due to these limitations, citing
substantial financial losses amounting to Rs. 5 billion in the first two quarters being the
sole manufacturer of DAP in pakistan. If Pakistan imports Urea/DAP then national
exchequer will suffer an accumulative loss of $1-1.5 billion a year.
In a pivotal move, the Committee resolved to call representatives from gas-consuming
industries and fertilizer companies in the forthcoming meeting, to devise collaborative
solutions that address the evolving energy landscape.
The issue of gas supply irregularities in various areas of Karachi also came under the
Committee's scrutiny. SSGC revealed that substantial progress has been made, with 0.1
million meters already installed and plans to bring 0.4 million more houses under the
metering system by June 2024. The Committee directed the immediate installation of
meters for households utilizing gas without meters, or else discontinuing their gas
connection.
The committee also received a comprehensive briefing on Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken by OGDCL/PPL in Balochistan. The funds
expenditure under CSR in DC head usually lapsed and not allocated appropriately. The
Committee, emphasized the prioritization of education/health in Balochistan under CSR.
After a brief discussion, the Committee decided to form a sub-committee to oversee the
CSR initiatives undertaken in Balochistan by OGDCL/PPL.
Senator Saifullah Abro brought forward the issue of the kidnapping and murder of Dr
Syed Raham Ali Shah, a dedicated SSGCL employee. MD SSGC acknowledged the tragedy
and shared that the family of the deceased had been provided with compensation,
including funeral expenses, 12-month salaries, and a life insurance amount of Rs. 3.5
million. The Committee recommended special consideration for accommodating the
deceased's family member in SSGC, urging a review of the organization's policies in case
of murder of the employees during service and his sole son may be accommodated in
services as per govt policy as SSGC is also being a government entity.
The Committee also delved into concerns related to the issue of non-provision of gas
supply to the residents within a 5km radius of the Jhal Magsi Oil & Gas field. The
Chairman Committee recommended a joint visit by SSGC and MNA Magsi to assess the
area and conduct a re-evaluation as the houses in the area are being increased many
times with the passage of time from the earlier 600 houses. If government could not
release the project amount in time then OGDCL which is casting Rs. 1800 /MMCFT need
to be adjusted in the project completion. SSGC outlined the project's scope, costs, and
timeline, with completion targeted for March 2024, contingent on the timely release of
funds.
The Special Secretary Ministry of Petroleum informed that Gas in the area has not been
injected yet. Earlier, MD SSGC apprised that the total planned network is 54.300Kms and
prospective customers are 684. He added that the project total cost is Rs. 1047.836
million, within the cost area criteria SSGCL's share is Rs. 184.680 million while over &
above cost criteria Government of Pakistan's share is Rs. 863.156 million. SSGC informed
that Rs. 100 million has been allocated by GoP once the said amount is transferred work
on the project will be undertaken.
Lastly, the Committee addressed the appointment of Muhammad Niaz Bugti, a subject
of scrutiny due to alleged fraudulent claims. The Committee directed MD PPL to re-
examine the case and check the record of Mr Niaz with Nadra, emphasizing a thorough
investigation.
Comments are closed.