News Detail
Event Title: Senator Danesh Kumar, Convener Parliamentary Committee on Minority CAUCUS Presiding over a Meeting of the Committee at Parliament Lodges Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-07-21
Minority Caucus Expresses Displeasure Over Absence of Senior Officials, Directs Review of Tax Deductions from ETPB Funds
A meeting of the Parliamentary Minority Caucus was held under the convenorship of Senator Danesh Kumar to review the Higher Education Commission's (HEC) policy on minority scholarships, examine the issue of tax deductions from Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) funds by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and assess the implementation of the five percent minority quota in Islamabad Police.
The meeting was attended by Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Mr. Nelson Azeem, MNA, and Ms. Neelam, MNA.
The Caucus expressed serious concern over the absence of senior officials, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Chairman FBR, and Chairman HEC. Members termed the continued absence of the IGP Islamabad as a non-serious attitude towards a unique parliamentary forum representing both Houses of Parliament and an act of disregard for minority issues. Convenor Senator Danesh Kumar directed that a formal expression of displeasure be conveyed to the IGP Islamabad and instructed that letters highlighting his repeated absence be sent to the Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
As a token of protest against the absence of the IGP Islamabad and Chairman HEC, the Caucus deferred discussions on HEC minority scholarships and the implementation of the minority quota in Islamabad Police.
The forum was briefed by the Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) regarding tax deductions made from ETPB accounts. Members voiced strong reservations over the deduction of taxes from funds designated for the welfare of minority communities and the preservation and rehabilitation of their religious sites.
Representatives of the FBR informed the forum that the ETPB falls within the ambit of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act and is therefore considered a taxable entity under Section 49(4) of the Income Tax Ordinance rather than the tax exemption provisions of Section 49(1). They further stated that the matter had previously been adjudicated by the Tax Tribunal, which referred it to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC). However, the ETPB has challenged the FBR order before the High Court, which has suspended the implementation of the FBR's decision.
Members questioned why ETPB had enjoyed tax exemption since 2015 and why deductions had been initiated only recently. FBR officials maintained that the matter is sub judice and assured the forum that any deducted amount would be returned if the final court decision favours the ETPB. Members, however, criticized what they described as a contradictory approach, noting that tax deductions continued during ADRC proceedings despite the matter being under litigation, while the suspension order of the High Court had not resulted in the return of the deducted funds.
FBR officials also informed the Caucus that if the ETPB is to be granted permanent tax-exempt status, it would need to be included in the relevant schedule through a Money Bill. Since the current Finance Bill has already been enacted, such a proposal could only be considered in the next budget cycle. ETPB representatives, however, argued that the Finance Minister possesses the legal authority to notify any entity as tax exempt under the existing law.
The ETPB requested the Caucus to direct the FBR to return the deducted funds and proposed that an in-camera meeting be convened to resolve the matter. After a detailed discussion, Convenor Senator Danesh Kumar directed the FBR to review the deductions from ETPB funds and, if the issue remains unresolved, to hold an in-camera meeting with all stakeholders. He further directed that the matter be resolved through mutual consultation and that a comprehensive report be submitted to the Caucus, emphasizing that the funds in question are intended for the welfare of minority communities and the maintenance and rehabilitation of their places of worship. He also directed FBR to return the deducted funds to ETPB until the final verdict by the courts on subject matter.