ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday stressed upon traders, businessmen and industrialists to come forward and work with the government in cohesion for collection of taxes which were a prerequisite for running the country’s financial matters.
Addressing an award distribution ceremony of the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister invited the traders’ community and industrialists to work as a team with the government.
He expressed the confidence that with collective efforts, they would overcome the current difficult phase of economy.
He regretted that the country was burdened with whopping debts of Rs 30,000 billion in the last decade by the previous rulers and half of collected taxes went for payment of those loans and interest.
The prime minister said the country could no longer function under such conditions and the mindset. About 70 per cent of the total tax collected was being paid by 300 companies alone whereas the ratio of paying taxes in the service and agriculture sectors was dismal.
“We have to change the mindset as the country can no longer run on the old patterns. It is indispensable to broaden the tax net,” he said, adding that in the past, the people did not trust the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) due to their bitter experience.
He also emphasized upon bridging the gap between exports and imports by extending facilitation to the exporters. The Board of Investment was taking major steps to facilitate exporters.
The prime minister also assured to resolve the public demands for the establishment of a university and hospitals in Gujranwala.
Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and the office-bearers of Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce were present on the occasion.
Source : VNS Islamabad
