Diplomatic Correspondent – In a significant move to ensure fiscal discipline, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to cancel the duty-free car import facility for Members of Parliament (MPs).
The decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the National Parliament House on Thursday night.
The Cabinet gave both principled and final approval to the draft of ‘The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Order 2026’.
According to a press release from the Cabinet Division, this decision was made considering the current economic realities and as part of an effort to reduce state expenditure.
Previously, under Article 3C of ‘The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973’, MPs enjoyed the privilege of importing vehicles without paying customs duties.
Following this approval, the proposal will be presented as a bill in Parliament. Once passed and gazetted, the long-standing privilege will be officially revoked.
Government officials stated that this measure is essential for bringing order to revenue management and ensuring fairness in state-provided facilities.