Uproar mars Senate session over VAT Bill

ISLAMABAD A severe constitutional hiccup emerged in the Upper House of the Parliament on Monday when Minister of State for Finance, Hina Rabbani Khar placed a copy of the Federal Value Added Tax Bill in the House just 15 minutes before its prorogation.
None else but Senator Raza Rabbani had to register his protest by walking out of the House over this anomaly on part of the Government in proroguing the Senate abruptly without giving it the time for review and make recommendations on the VAT Bill.
Not only Rabbani but also Leader of the House Nayar Bukhari pointed out that under Article 73 of the Constitution, the Senate was bound to transfer its recommendations to the National Assembly within seven days. But, ironically, the House was prorogued without even taking the treasury members into confidence.
Rabbani stressed that the Bill should either be withdrawn or the House should not be prorogued, else adjourned for another date within seven days. Senators Raja Zafrul Haq and Safdar Abbasi also supported Senator Rabbani. However, the Bill was referred to the respective committee and the House was prorogued, against which Senator Raza Rabbani walked out in protest.
It is relevant to mention here that the Government is under obligation as per the agreements with the international financial institutions to implement the VAT in place of the existing General Sales Tax from next financial year starting July 1, 2010.