Page 7 · Opinion

Hidden black money

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Rana Mohammad Hanif told the National Assembly this morning [Nov 5] that the Government was taking action against persons who had not declared their hidden black money by August 311ast.

At the moment ... action had been initiated against 500 such persons but he would not disclose their names. The Minister speaking on an adjournment motion sought to be moved on the question by opposition member Mahmood Azam Faroogi (JI-Karachi), pointed out that Income Tax laws enjoined upon the authorities not to disclose the names of the parties.

The member, who wanted a debate on what he called the Government’s failure to take effective action against those who failed to declare the hidden wealth by the deadline ... did not press his motion... . .

The Finance Minister said that at this stage disclosure of names of the persons who had not declared their hidden black money was not in public interest. To do so might reveal the names of some purdah nasheens also, he remarked. Interior Minister Abdul Qayyum Khan ... told the House that the Government was doing its best to stop illegal emigration of Pakistani labour... . News agencies