ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) — PTI lawmaker Asad Qaiser on Thursday objected in the National Assembly to an amendment that allows lawmakers to withhold public disclosure of their asset declarations under certain conditions, calling for the bill’s withdrawal.
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Qaiser said elected representatives should be held to the same standards as ordinary citizens and announced PTI’s dissociation from the legislation.
Under the Elections Act, members of parliament and provincial assemblies are required to submit annual statements of their assets and liabilities to the Election Commission of Pakistan, which are published in the official gazette. The amendment would allow the Speaker or the Senate chairman to block publication for up to one year if disclosure is deemed a threat to a lawmaker’s or their family’s safety, while still requiring confidential submission to the commission.
During the session, the House passed the Income Tax Third Amendment Bill 2025. Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said the measure aims to protect taxpayers’ rights and strengthen the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee.
Lawmakers were also told that billions of dollars in investment had been attracted through the Special Investment Facilitation Council, supported by updated investment and visa policies. In addition, seven new bills, including measures on anti-money laundering, national archives and abandoned properties management, were introduced for consideration.
