43rd meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization of the National Assembly was held today i.e 22nd November, 2016 in Committee Room No. 7, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, MNA, on the following agenda:-

i)      Confirmation of minutes of the last meeting held on 26-10-2016
ii)     Consideration of ‘’The Cost and Management Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2015’’ (Government Bill)
iii)   To consider “The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2016” (Ordinance No. XLIX of 2001) (Government Bill)
iv)   Consideration of ‘’An Eradication of Riba Bill, 2015’’ (Moved by Mr. Sher Akbar Khan, MNA)
v)     Consideration of ‘’The Point of Order’’ (raised by Mr. Siraj Muhammad Khan, MNA) regarding fee collection by National Testing Service (NTS) from the candidates.
vi)   Briefing by President, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) on the performance and functioning of ZTBL for last three years.

2.         The Committee approved the minutes of the last meeting held on 26-10-2016.

3.         The Committee considered “The Cost and Management Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2015” and unanimously decided/recommended that same may be deferred for further vetting from Ministry of Law & Justice.

4.          The Committee considered the Report of the Sub-Committee of Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics & Privatization with regard to the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2016” (Ordinance No. XLIX of 2001) and recommended that subject Bill may be passed by the National Assembly with insertion of the recommendations made by the said Sub-Committee.

5.         The Committee deferred the agenda regarding “An Eradication of Riba Bill, 2015” till the finalization of steering Committee’s report by the Ministry of Finance. It was agreed by Mr. Sher Akbar Khan, MNA/mover of the agenda.  

6.         The Committee recommended that Auditor General of Pakistan may be requested for the auditing of National Testing Service (NTS) funds. The Committee further recommended that SECP may be directed for inquired the matter of funds in detail. The Committee also directed to CEO, NTS for reducing the fee charges.

7.         After thread bear briefing by the President, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) on the performance and functioning of ZTBL for last three years. The Committee strongly recommended that interest ratio on agricultural loans should be reviewed and support package may also be given to the farmers.

8.         The Committee also considered the petition regarding appeal/representation of National Bank of Pakistan Pensioners regarding periodical increases in pension; the Committee recommended that NBP may be called in the regard.

9.         Mr. Muhammad Pervaiz Malik, Dr. Shizra Mansab Ali Khan Kharral, Sheikh Fayyaz Ud Din, Mian Abdul Mannan, Ms. Leila Khan, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Mr. Abdul Rashid Godil, Mr. Sher Akbar Khan, Mr. Siraj Muhammad Khan, MNAs were present in the meeting, besides the senior officers from Ministry of Finance & Revenue, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTBL), Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), National Testing Service (NTS). 
 

(AMIR OMER MALIK)
Secretary Committee