Bill tabled in Senate to impose levy on natural gas-based power plants

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday laid a copy of the money bill, namely Off the Grid Captive Power Plants Levy Bill, 2025, in the Senate to impose an off-the-grid levy on natural gas based captive power plants.

Leader of the House, Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar laid a copy of the money bill as supplementary agenda amid opposition by lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). They contended that on the day dedicated to pay tribute to late Senator Prof Sajid Mir, such transaction should not be done.

However, Senate acting Chairman Syedaal Khan informed the PTI senators that this (business) was unanimously decided during the House Business Advisory Committee meeting, wherein their parliamentary leader was also present.

Dar laid the money bill, as required under Article 73 of the Constitution, and it was referred to the House standing committee concerned for deliberations and report. The chair has asked members to submit their recommendations by 10am, Thursday, which will be forwarded to the Standing Committee on Revenue the same day.

Earlier, lawmakers from both sides of the divide in the House paid glowing tributes to PMLN Senator Prof Sajid Mir, who breathed his last on May 3. At the end of speeches, a condolence resolution was moved in the House by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, which was unanimously adopted.

The House noted that Prof Sajid Mir leaves behind a rich legacy of public service, scholarship, and principled political engagement. His absence will be deeply felt by his colleagues, students, followers and the nation at large.

A copy of the resolution would be sent to the bereaved family. Those who spoke during the condolence sitting included Ishaq Dar, Syed Shibli Faraz, Irfan Siddiqui, Naseema Ehsan, Allama Nasir Abbas, Maulana Attaur Rehman, M Abdul Qadir, Haji

Hidayatullah Khan, Jan Muhammad Buledi, Shahadat Awan and Rana Mahmoodul Hasan. The House would now meet again on Thursday afternoon.