*ISLAMABAD – **Prime Minister Imran Khan orders to withdraw controversialordinance of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess.*

* In the view of recent controversy, Prime Minister Imran Khan has decidedto withdraw the ordinance which allowed to waive off Rs210 billions of GasInfrastructure Development Cess (GIDC).*

The statement issued by the PM Office on Wednesday said “the primeminister, in the interest of transparency and good governance, has decidedto withdraw the said Ordinance and direct the Attorney General to move anapplication for an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court.”

However, the statement added that “the prime minister wishes to inform thenation that going to the court carries a risk because the decision could goeither way.”

It elucidated that the government could get the whole amount or could loseit all, and possibly forgo any prospects of future revenue collectionsunder this head.

“Also on top of this, the government could be saddled with the burden ofadministering refunds of approximately Rs295 billion of the principalamount.”