Policy Board meeting not convened: Senate panel settles privilege motion against ex-acting FBR chief

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges settled a privilege motion moved against former acting chairperson Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Nausheen Javaid Amjad about not-convening the FBR Policy Board meeting, after the meeting was informed that she did not have the power to convene the meetings at the given time.

A meeting of the Rules of Procedure and Privileges presided over by Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq met on Monday to consider two privilege motions, one moved by Senator Mushahidullah Khan and other by Senator Kauda Babar against the then acting Chairperson FBR Nausheen Javaid Amjad.

While taking up the Privilege Motion moved by Senator Kauda Babar against the then acting chairperson FBR Nausheen Javaid Amjad regarding non-convening of the meeting of FBR Policy Board, the Committee was informed that by the former chairperson FBR, who was the Secretary Board at that time, and did not have the power to convene meetings of the Policy of the FBR, and that this was solely the prerogative of the Chairman of the Board.

Nosheen Amjad Javed informed the committee that she had repeatedly reminded the chairman of the meetings, which according to rules must convene once in each quarter of the financial year, proof of which will be submitted to the Committee. The matter was disposed as Senator Kauda Babar withdrew the matter after Amjad tendered an apology.

The chairperson of the Committee was of the view that the FBR Policy Board was an important forum and that had representation from all four provinces, so that the provincial interest, while formulation of policies for the FBR, are ensured.

She added that keeping in view the importance of the portfolio of the Board, these matters must be taken very seriously. On the issue of Privilege Motion moved by Senator Mushahidullah Khan against what he termed baseless allegations of dues worth Rs2,700,000 against him, on account of his stay in Punjab House in the federal capital.

In addition, the Committee was informed that a meeting was currently underway regarding this issue and the minutes of the meeting would be submitted to the committee as soon as these were issued. Members stressed the need for resolution of this matter at the earliest and wanted that action must be taken to ensure that wrong billing does not occur in the future.

The committee directed that in addition to the minutes, the SOPs regarding stay and billing at the Punjab House must be submitted as well. Chairperson of the committee stated that the committee would like to see whether any changes have been made to these with respect to billing guests.

The meeting was attended by Senator Walid Iqbal, Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Senator Dr. Asif Kirmani, Senator Dilawar Khan, Senator Mushahidullah, Senator Manzoor Ahmed Khan Kakar, Senator Dr Sikandar Mandhro, Senator Nighat Mirza, and Senator Kauda Babar. Senior officers of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the FBR were also present.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020