KARACHI: Mr Ghulam Mohammad charged on Tuesday [Jan 3] that India was obstructing economic development and social services plans in both the countries through its uncompromising attitude on Kashmir and other outstanding inter-Dominion issues.

The Finance Minister was speaking in the Pakistan Parliament during the consideration of the Estate Duty Bill. The Bill was passed by the Parliament … during its second reading.

He declared that so long as the relations between Pakistan and India continued to remain strained the unproportionately large expenditure on defence would leave little for other projects… .

The Estate Duty Bill … authorises the Government to levy death duty on legacies worth more Rs 1,00,000. … The Bill, explicitly exempts Waqf Alal Aulad and Charitable Endowments from the duty. The rights of Mehr (dower) for Muslim women and maintenance and marriage expenses for Hindu families have also been safeguarded in the legislation. Insurance policies for a maximum of Rs 20,000 also will be duty free. …

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2025