By Asim Shehzad
LAHORE – The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, has declared government notifications altering agricultural tax rates unconstitutional, terming them illegal and void in a detailed ruling.
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Delivering his reserved verdict during a session chaired earlier by Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Chanar, the speaker ruled that the authority to impose taxes rests solely with the elected assembly and cannot be exercised by any administrative body or individual.
He emphasised that any revision in agricultural income tax must be presented before the assembly during the annual budget process. The government’s failure to table the relevant notifications in the 2025–26 budget rendered all changes legally invalid.
The ruling further declared that all tax collections made under the revised rates are unconstitutional and in violation of the assembly’s privileges. Consequently, the government has suspended all tax operations under the new rates.
The matter has now been referred to a parliamentary committee, which has been directed to submit an explanation within 15 days and present a detailed report within a month.
During the same session, opposition lawmaker Mian Ijaz Shafi criticised the wheat procurement process, describing it as flawed and marred by corruption.
Responding to the debate, Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman highlighted government initiatives aimed at public welfare, including Minar T-cards for minorities, Kisan cards for farmers and Himmat cards for persons with disabilities.
He added that over Rs70 billion had been allocated for flood relief, while Rs24.2 billion was provided to support motorcycle users amid rising international fuel prices. The minister also noted that provincial ministers would forgo two months’ salaries as part of austerity measures.
Separately, the deputy speaker took strong notice of the absence of ministers and parliamentary secretaries during the first Question Hour. Expressing displeasure, he warned that strict action would be taken, including summoning absent members through the Sergeant-at-Arms if attendance does not improve in future sessions.
