CJP hints at examining amnesty scheme

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, on Thursday hinted at examining the amnesty scheme, recently announced by the government, whereby all Pakistanis will be able to declare their unreported income and assets and bring their money into the tax base after paying 5 percent one-off penalty.

Last week, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi launched the amnesty scheme, reducing the income tax rates in order to broaden the government’s revenue base as well as encouraging the people to bring back their foreign assets. The amnesty scheme however came under severe criticism by the opposition parties.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has also announced to challenge the amnesty scheme in the Supreme Court. On Thursday, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar while hearing a case relating to the government’s land observed that the court would not allow confiscation of public land. The chief justice hinted that they would also look into the amnesty scheme, recently announced by the government. He said the case related to foreign assets of Pakistanis would soon be fixed for hearing.