Updated on
Summary Senators from the treasury and opposition benches demanded tax levied on overseas calls.
Law makers from both sides of political divide were of consensus view in the senate that tax levied on incoming overseas telephone calls is extortion.They held imposition of this tax has left the common man at receiving end. Overseas Pakistanis are patriotic therefore, the levy be withdrawn forthwith, they demanded.The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) staged a walk out from the Senate upon the imposition of tax on incoming international telephone calls.MQM Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said the increased tax was a form of extortion, adding that, his party would continue the walk out until the tax was withdrawn.The Senate session was held under the chairmanship of Nayyar Hussain Bokhari on Friday.Replying to a calling attention notice Friday, minister incharge for cabinet division told in the Senate PTA had not slapped the tax on incoming overseas telephone calls but it was levied by IT with the approval of the prime minister.Senator Raza Rabbani said PTA had issued summary to enhance tax rate making it clear that final approval in this respect is accorded by the premier. PTA should not endeavor to protect the PTA and PTA was behind this matter, he added.He recommended for immediate withdrawal of this tax stressing the matter be referred to standing committee. PTA could not be left unbridled, he added.Rabbani said that the tax was implemented after collusion between the Long Distance International (LDI) operators and the regulatory authority and it was part of a conspiracy to save billions in payments.Senator Rabbani moreover urged that to immediately withdraw the imposition.Speaking during the session, PML-Q Senator Kamil Ali Agha said that remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis had already dropped by 10 per cent, adding that, the tax on incoming international calls would lead to a further decrease in remittances.Terming the tax an extortion, mover of the notice senator Aamir Hussain Mashdi demanded that it be taken back immediately. He also staged walk out from the house.Leader of the opposition senator Ishaq Dar, Senator Kamil Ali Agha and others dubbed the tax as burden on the overseas Pakistanis and demanded for its withdrawal.Minister incharge also described the tax as burden saying the matter be sent to the respective committee.The matter was referred to senate standing committee on cabinet secretariat which would meet on October, 18.The Senate’s session was later adjourned until Monday.
