The National Assembly on Friday successfully passed a significant package of legislation, including a crucial amendment to the Civil Servants Act introducing mandatory asset declarations and an Income Tax amendment bill deemed important for the upcoming federal budget.
Mandatory Asset Disclosure for Civil Servants
A key bill approved was the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2025. This amendment adds Clause 15A to the existing Act, making it compulsory for all civil servants from Grade-17 to Grade-22 to declare their domestic and foreign assets. The new provision also requires these officers to disclose the domestic and foreign assets and liabilities of their spouses and dependent children. All these asset details must be submitted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and are slated to be made public, promoting greater transparency within the bureaucracy.
In total, the National Assembly passed nine legislative items during the session on Friday. This included six government bills and two private members’ bills, alongside a resolution. All bills and the resolution were passed with a majority vote, without requiring a division of the house.
Crucial Income Tax Amendment Passed
Among the government-sponsored bills receiving approval was the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024. This legislation has been identified as a crucial component related to the upcoming federal budget.
Other government bills passed included the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the Transfer of Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Assembly Discusses Tobacco Farming and Wheat Policy Shift
During the session, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser raised a point of order concerning the lack of a clear government policy regarding tobacco cultivation, noting that farmers were expressing significant worry.
He urged that the matter be referred to the relevant standing committee for detailed consideration. In response, the federal minister for law and justice assured the house that the government was aware of the difficulties faced by tobacco growers. He acknowledged that international market fluctuations impact prices but committed that the government would work to ensure tobacco farmers are not unduly burdened.
