Govt. introduced multiple reforms in various sectors during last three years: Shahzad Akbar

Govt. introduced multiple reforms in various sectors during last three years: Shahzad Akbar
ISLAMABAD: October 16 - Advisor to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Barrister Mirza Shahzad Akbar addressing a press conference. APP

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP):The government introduced steps for overall reforms in several sectors during the last three years and conducted inquiries into various matters because of firm belief of Prime Minister Imran Khan in accountability and transparency.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Advisor to Prime Minister on Accountability Barrister Shahzad Akbar said that government conducted inquires in sugar and petroleum scams, broadsheet case and Rawalpindi Ring Road Scandal.

He said that startling revelations were made during the probe of the sugar inquiry commission and the action was taken in the light of its report.

Shahzad Akbar said that the sugar commission had imposed Rs. 619 billion tax on 89 sugar mills out of which the courts ordered to annul tax of Rs. 38 billion.
The advisor said that the audit had contributed to doubling the tax revenue from Sugar Mills during the last Fiscal Year 2020-21.

He pointed out that 10 Sugar Mills have taken stays from different High Courts against the tax audit.

He said that federal cabinet directed Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to inquire about cartelization of sugar industry. He said that CCP investigated into the matter following its own rules and a fine amounting Rs. 44 billion was imposed on the sugar mills.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Accountability said that audit of 69 sugar mills out of 89 had been completed while Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) shared evidences with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against those involved in speculation’ and imposed liability of Rs. 13.8 billion on them. He said thatspeculation’ has been termed illegal under new legislation while federal and provincial government took action against those involved in it.

He said that timely payments to farmers were ensured due to the will of the government while price fixation formula was made to determine the sugar price.
Shahzad Akbar said that the Track and Trace System will be installed in Sugar Mills before the next crushing season in order to determine their actual production and avoid tax evasion.

The Prime Minister’s Advisor said that an inquiry was also conducted into the shortage of Petroleum Products last year and the fine was imposed on the oil marketing companies involved in the shortage of Petroleum Products.

The advisor said that 2,000 illegal Petrol Stations have been shut down which resulted in the increase of the sale of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) upto 36 percent and of 28 percent of multinational companies. He said that vessels were not filled when the petroleum products were at low price resulting loss of Rs 13.5 billion. He said this amount is being recovered from those companies involved in it.

Commenting on the Broadsheet Inquiry Commission, Shahzad Akbar said that the committee revealed that the case was not fought in the right way by the government of Pakistan from 2009 to 2018. Inquiry is underway to find the negligence and action would be taken in this regard, he added.

About Rawalpindi Ring Road Scandal, the Advisor said that there had been serious engineering flaws in ring road project and extra loops were erected.

However, he said this project has been re-designed as per actual alignment and Prime Minister would inaugurate it soon. He rejected the involvement of Zulfi Bukhari and Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan in this scam.

Shahzad Akbar said confusion has been created about jurisdiction of NAB Ordinance. He said the Opposition did not object on NAB related laws during their own tenures, however, present government made this institution strong.

In the new law, he said the government had tried to facilitate bureaucracy during decision making process as well as the business community having no connection with any public office or government transaction.

The Advisor said that audio and video recording would be made of all evidences and Accountability courts to be equipped by the government.

APP Services