The government is considering to present the controversial General Sales Tax (GST) Bill 2010 as well as Finance Amendment Bill 2010 for approval in the National Assembly during its upcoming session starting from December 20. Informed sources told Business Recorder that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had asked Cabinet's members to remain in the city/country during the forthcoming session, as the government intends to table the tax bills in any session where it has a majority.
Analysts say that the chances of approval of the bills by NA remain bleak unless the opponent of the bill, including PML-N as well as some coalition members boycott or abstain, or the PPP manages to garner support from the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q).
The numerical strength shows that it will not be possible for the government to pass the bills from the National Assembly even if all the members of Awami National Party (ANP), independents and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) vote in favour of the bills. Their total numerical strength in the Parliament including PPP's 125, ANP's 13, Independent 17 and PML-F's 5 is 160, which is 11 members short of the required 171 members.
Political observers say that after the categorical stance taken by the PML-N, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulem-e-Islam (JUI-F) during the meeting of National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance and outside the Parliament by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, the role of the PML-Q has become decisive, as even abstention or boycotting of the proceedings by its members will mean helping the government to push through the bill. The PNL-Q walked out of the Senate when other political parties demanded voting on recommendations of the Senate's Standing Committee. The opponents of the bills also need to ensure their attendance during the voting.
PML-N has 91 members in the National Assembly, MQM 25 and JUI-F has 7 making a total of 123. The role of the PML-Q will be decisive and if it remains firm on its stance of voting against the bills, which would push the numerical strength of those opposed to the Bills to 174 - enough to defeat the government. Balochistan National Party (Awami), National Party and Pakistan People's Party Sherpao each has one member in the National Assembly.
ANP MNA Bushra Gohar, who is also member of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance, said that that GST Bill 2010 was yet to be considered clause by clause by the Committee. She said that her party would support documentation of the economy but also propose the government to increase the tax base.
To a question about convening the meeting of the finance committee, Chairperson of the Committee, Fauzia Wahab said as the issue was of important nature, Prime Minister wanted her to convene the meeting of the committee on his return from abroad. So the meeting would be held when Prime Minister would be in the country, she added.
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