Consultancy firm hired in transparent manner, NA told

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday informed the National Assembly that the international consultancy firm McKinsey was hired through a transparent and competitive process for the digitalisation of the country’s taxation system.

He clarified that the Gates Foundation is funding this project, and no funds from the national exchequer are being utilised. “No national exchequer is involved, and we are grateful to the Gates Foundation for funding the digitalisation of the taxation system,” he said.

Aurangzeb stated that seven companies, both international and domestic players, applied for the project, and McKinsey was selected through a transparent process after an independent review.

He explained that the hiring of the consultant, which followed a rigorous process, aims to digitise the taxation system to minimise human involvement, enhance transparency, and eliminate corruption and harassment. “It is also about bringing transparency to the taxation system for the benefit of clients,” he added.

During the session, MQMP parliamentarian Syed Hafeezuddin raised concerns through a calling attention notice, pointing out that McKinsey, headquartered in New York, operates from India and Israel, as mentioned on its website. He questioned whether the selected company had relevant experience and why the services of Nadra were not utilised instead.

In response, Finance Minister Aurangzeb clarified that Nadra’s mandate does not include end-to-end digitalisation of the taxation system. He emphasised that the international firm was hired to design and oversee the implementation process.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed two resolutions extending the duration of two ordinances for an additional 120 days.

The first resolution stated: “That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (IX of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 2nd April 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

The second resolution stated: “That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (X of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 27th April 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

Additionally, two bills were introduced in the National Assembly on Monday: the Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Societies Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, was also laid before the House.