ISLAMABAD   -   Pakistan People’s Party on Tuesday rejected the provision 203A of the Finance Bill which gives the Federal Board of Revenue powers to arrest and prosecute without warrant.

Speaking on the Finance Bill at the Senate Finance Revenue and Economic Affairs Committee meeting, PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman said: “On one hand we are being told that FBR powers are being curtailed and on the other, it is being made into a mini-National Accountability Bureau through this provision. I reject this Finance Bill provision which is a mini martial law by stealth. The power to arrest without warrant is draconian and unprecedented. Now the finance minister will be able to authorise an arrest minus warrant. No doubt that tax evasion needs to be countered and the direct taxation net needs to be expanded but this is certainly not the way.”

She added: “The question is that why is FBR being given the powers to arrest without warrant? Senate had unanimously rejected provision 203A and this must be removed from the Finance Bill.”

The committee endorsed Senator Sherry Rehman’s demand and collectively decided to remove provision 203A.