Rabbani opposes power given to FBR to arrest CEOs, CFOs, board directors

ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani strongly opposed the power to arrest CEOs, CFOs and board directors being given to the Federal Board Revenue (FBR) through a Money Bill and such amendments do not fall within the scope of Clause (2), Article 73, Constitution, 1973, and cannot be part of a Money Bill/Finance Bill.

“The National Assembly (NA) Speaker should not certify these amendments to constitute a part of the Money Bill, under Clause (5), Article 73, Constitution, 1973,” he demanded in a statement on Tuesday while condemning giving the powers to FBR to arrest CEOs, CFOs and board directors.

Rabbani said such amendments amount to giving the powers of the CrPC to the FBR,” he said. He said such amendments also empower the tax commissioner to issue notices of money laundering. “This will adversely affect businesses,” he said. He said wide powers all exist with the state under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The former Senate chairman said there is a grave risk of misuse of the powers to arrest and to issue notices. “This can lead to businesses shutting down,” he said.

He said the manner in which the government is amending various laws and empowering various state agencies, is in violation of the fundamental rights in the Constitution, 1973.

Rabbani said Pakistan is gradually being converted into a police state at the calling of international financial imperialist, like the IMF.