Finance Minister Vows to Dismiss SBP Governor If He Goes Against Govt

The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin, has said that he will dismiss the Governor State Bank of Pakistan if he did not support the government in economic matters after the approval of the SBP Amendment Bill. The Minister of Finance along with Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, Energy Minister, Hammad Azhar, Dr. Faisal Sultan, and Governor SBP informed the media about the Finance Bill as well as SBP Amendment Bill at Punjab House He underscored that the government would reduce the powers of the central bank with a simple majority of parliament if they do not obey the federal government’s instructions. He once again made it clear that the federal government would still hold some control over SBP after the passage of the SBP (Amendment) Bill, 2021. He also clarified that the federal government would appoint and approve the board of the SBP including Governor and Deputy Governor, who would be answerable to the parliament. He said that the basic purpose of the Finance Supplementary Bill, 2021 is to document the economy instead of revenue generation. The government would refund Rs. 280 billion out of Rs. 343 billion tax exemptions withdrawn. He added that government would give subsidies on solar panels and laptops instead of withdrawing taxes. He clarified that the government has not taxed fertilizers, pesticides, tractors, and food items.