It would be illegal and unconstitutional if a tax ordinance is issued during the tenure of the caretaker government, PPP senior leader Senator Mian Raza Rabbani said while talking to media after Senate session here on Thursday. He said that caretaker government has no authority to decide tax-related matters and such step will not only be a violation of 18th Amendment of the Constitution but breach caretaker' mandate as well, which would not be acceptable at any cost.
Answering a question, Rabbani said the caretaker government has no authority to restructure any ministry devolved to the provinces because it would be a violation of the 18th Amendment. He expressed the hope that PML-N will support PPP's stance on the matter because the 18th Amendment was passed by consensus in parliament.
According to constitutional experts however an ordinance can be issued during the tenure of the caretaker government. They further said that there is no restriction under the 18th Amendment of the constitution that bars the passage of an ordinance relating to increasing taxes during the tenure of the caretaker government. However, experts did refer to the Supreme Court of Pakistan's judgement that the caretaker government should work on a day-to-day basis.