The Senate on Friday passed key amendment bills related to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, Navy, and Practice and Procedure with a majority vote. However, the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Bill was postponed after strong protests and a walkout by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The tension began when the Food Safety Authority Bill was presented for approval. PPP lawmakers objected, claiming that the bill brought to the House differed significantly from the version reviewed in the committee. Parliamentary Leader Sherry Rehman stated that the committee chair was unaware of the changes and that amendments introduced by the PPP had been removed. She declared that the party could not vote for a bill presented in this manner and led her members in a walkout. In response, the Chairman Senate deferred the bill.
During the session, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani briefed the Senate on improvements in the FBR’s performance, attributing progress to strict enforcement measures. He assured that all sectors, including the business community, would be provided facilities but emphasized that tax evasion would not be tolerated.
Responding to a supplementary question by Senator Kamran Murtaza, the minister said that the salaried class contributes the highest share of taxes in the country. He added that enforcement efforts had expanded the tax net, and for the first time, even the IMF acknowledged the progress. He said revenue collection had increased by 26% compared to last year, largely due to improved enforcement.
Senator Fauzia Arshad asked about taxes collected on food items. The minister responded that widespread tax evasion was a major challenge and stressed the need to punish offenders to set an example.
In a lighter moment, PPP Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai remarked that the FBR had “set up an office in the afterlife” since her late father continued to receive tax filing messages.
The Senate later approved the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force Amendment Bills with a majority vote. These bills were presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Senator Ishaq Dar and Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Senator Ishaq Dar also formally introduced the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bills during the proceedings.
The session highlighted both legislative progress and political tensions, particularly regarding transparency and committee procedures linked to the Food Safety Authority Bill.
