Taxation reforms, increasing tax net inevitable for durable progress: PM

ISLAMABAD, Mar 12: Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday, terming the existing taxation system unjust, called for its reformation besides enhancing the tax net to achieve durable economic progress.

Chairing a meeting to discuss the revenue collection and enhancing the tax base, the prime minister viewed that taxation statistics and system in vogue could in no way support the national economy, a PM Office statement said.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister of State for Revenue Hamad Azhar, Special Assistant to PM Naeemul Haq, chairmen of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and NADRA and renowned tax and economic experts including Syed Javed, Abdullah Yousuf, Dr Ikramul Haq, Rashid Khan, Masood Naqvi, Abid Sha’ban and Ashfaq Tola.

The meeting discussed various proposals to increase the revenue and tax base, develop tax collection on modern lines, use of technology and bring about reforms in FBR.

The prime minister said under the prevailing system, the poor had to pay taxes more than their financial capacity and called for bringing the non-tax payers under the tax net.

The prime minister said the reformation of taxation system and increasing the tax base were part of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s manifesto.

He also advocated the reforms in FBR to revive the trust of taxpayers in the taxation system.

(APP)