All you need to know about four amendment ordinances signed by President today

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has issued multiple ordinances on Sunday (May 4), including the ordinance to amend tax laws (Federal Excise Act Amendment), the Capital Development Authority (CDA) amendment ordinance, the ordinance to amend salaries and benefits of federal ministers and ministers of state, and the ordinance to establish National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA).

TAX LAW AMENDMENT ORDINANCE

The Federal Excise Act Amendment ordinance directs that after the decision of the courts, forum or authority [concerned], the tax under the Income Tax Ordinance must be paid immediately, or paid within the relevant period after the notice is issued by the Income Tax Authority.

The ordinance also stipulates that after the decision, the tax due shall be collected immediately or within the notice of the Income Tax Authority.

The Board or Chief Commissioner can now appoint an Inland Revenue Officer, or any relevant officer, to supervise the production, supply, or provision of goods and services, or to oversee goods that are not intended for sale.

The amendment ordinance also says that the goods on which tax stamp, or barcode, or label is not affixed will be seized. For the supervision of counterfeit goods, the FBR will give these powers to any federal or provincial employee of the Inland Revenue Officer, the Federal Excise Act Amendment bill states.

SALARIES AMENDMENT ORDINANCE

After the issuance of the ordinance, the salaries of federal ministers and ministers of state will be equal to the salary of a Member of the National Assembly (MNA).

The amended law shall come into force at once and shall be deemed to have taken effect on and from the January 1, 2025.

CDA AMENDMENT ORDINANCE

With the amendment ordinance now promulgated, now where land includes a building or build up property, the Deputy Commissioner
may issue two separate awards one for the land and another for the building or build up property.

For rehabilitation and resettlement benefits, the pending cases for grant of rehabilitation and resettlement benefits in lieu of any award of land and built-up property, pending on October 30, 2025 shall be governed and processed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Rehabilitation Policy in force at the relevant time.

Moreover, where compensation is provided through land sharing, rehabilitation benefits, resettlement benefits, or any other form as determined by the Authority, it shall ensure that the allotted land is of equivalent value, utility and accessibility as the acquired land; rehabilitation and resettlement benefits are provided where required ensuring the restoration of livelihood and standard of living; and compensation package aligns with principles of equity ensuring that affected persons are not placed at a disadvantage due to the acquisition.

The Deputy Commissioner shall, after giving the person having interest in the land an opportunity of being heard, determine the compensation for the temporary occupation and use of the land at the rate at which it was rented during the preceding agricultural year. If it was not rented, then he may consider fair and equitable, and make an award specifying the area and description of the land; purpose and the period for which the land is required; compensation and shares therein of the persons, if there be more
than one, entitled thereto; and the mode of compensation.

ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL AGRI-TRADE AND FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY (NAFSA)

The ordinance establishes the National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), which will be a corporate body, having power to enter into contracts, acquire, hold and dispose of property. The headquarters of the Authority shall be at Islamabad and it may establish such other places in Pakistan as it may deem necessary.

The Authority shall develop, apply and achieve compliance with SPS measures in relation to import, export and inter-regional trade of goods taking into account international standards, guidelines and
recommendations. (The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, under the World Trade Organization’s SPS Agreement, are regulations designed to protect human and animal life, and plant life, from risks related to food safety, animal and plant health, and environmental protection).

The authority will also register business operators while ensuring compliance with SPS standards by business operators through a system of official controls. NAFSA will also ensure compliance with track and trace or marking and grade designation requirements of goods, register and regulate formulation plants, implement inspection and quarantine controls at points of entry and points of exit with regard to import and export of goods, and regulate, prohibit and restrict the import or export of goods likely to
introduce harmful organism, invasive species, or diseases to any other goods or humans.

The authority will also coordinate with Provincial Governments to implement SPS measures for the production, transportation, storage, and marketing of goods intended for export from Pakistan. It will prepare and implement national crisis management plans for the control of risks regarding the application of SPS measures with the coordination of the relevant Provincial authorities as well. The newly established authority is also empowered to hold training programmes, national and international conferences, policy seminars, symposia, or awareness workshops or any other activity deemed necessary for promoting the SPS measures.

NAFSA is also given the mandate to nominate, notify or establish the accredited testing laboratories, represent Pakistan in bilateral regional and international forums related to international trade in animals and animal products, and impose penalty or fines.

The NAFSA Board of Governors shall consist of a Chairperson and the following members who shall be appointed by the Prime Minister for a term of three years: six members who are Secretaries of the department concerned with the affairs of Agriculture or livestock Departments in the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan; one representative each, not below the rank of Additional Secretary from division concerned with the affairs of national food security and research, climate change, commerce, science and technology and finance; two female members with expertise in food safety, food technology, public health, agronomy, or a related field; two members from academia or research organizations; and three members, one each from plant related trading associations, animal trading associations, and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

The ordinance also establishes the National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority Fund, which shall be
utilised for the performance of the authority’s functions as well as payment of remuneration, salaries, and all other expenses. The Fund will consist of the seed money provided by the federal government, sums allocated to the Authority in the annual budget, financial allocations made by the government, endowments, donations, contributions, bequests, trusts and grants provided by domestic and international institutions and organisations, loans, aid and assistance in any form and from any source as
approved by the Board, income from sales, subscriptions or royalties of publications and remuneration for professional services rendered by the officers, researchers, advisors and experts of the Authority, and charges and fees levied for, and the fine received under, the performance of control functions.

The Animal Quarantine Department and the Department of Plant Protection have been abolished and all assets, liabilities, rights, obligations, patents, licenses, and interests of the departments have been transferred to the NAFSA.