ISLAMABAD: Reference to an article titled ‘A Balance Shift’ that appeared in Dawn’s ‘Business and Finance’ section on Sept 19, a statement by the Ministry of Finance, while refuting certain facts, has stated that the ruling of the Supreme Court in the April 2013 case that challenges the authority of the FBR in respect of the revision in taxes has been misconstrued.
The statement said the court’s ruling was presented as if it was aimed at curbing the power of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet. It said the government has implemented the court’s ruling, and all matters requiring ratification are regularly being submitted to the cabinet. However, the ministry’s statement also said the government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.
The statement also denies that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has granted special authority to the finance minister, making him the next most powerful member of the ruling party. It said the finance minister presides over the ECC just as his predecessors used to do, and wields no additional powers, and that all ECC decisions are made after considering all aspects of the case and in the best interest of the public.
Published in Dawn September 24th, 2016
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