The Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday assured a delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) that their tax proposals would be accorded due consideration in the upcoming budget and all possible facilitation would be extended to the electronic media.
An official statement said the delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association led by its Chairman Mian Amir Mehmood called on the finance minister. The delegation also included Secretary General PBA Mir Ibrahim, CEO Dawn TV Shakeel Masood, CEO Express TV Sultan Lakhani, CEO News One Tahir A. Khan and CEO Hum TV Duraid Qureshi.
The PBA delegation discussed with the minister budget proposals regarding taxation on electronic media and apprised him of certain issues that needed redressal.
The minister said the proposals would be accorded due consideration in the upcoming budget and all possible facilitation would be extended to electronic media which along with print media, was playing a key role as a bridge between the government and the masses.
He said all media; especially electronic media has the important task at hand to highlight government’s efforts for economic development and people’s wellbeing. He said the government fully utilises the feedback that media provides on its measures for the upkeep of different segments of the society and helps in reshaping its policies. The government would continue to follow its policy of promoting the freedom of media in letter and spirit in the country as enshrined in the constitution.
The visiting delegation thanked the minister for a patient hearing of their suggestions despite his hectic schedule and also lauded the government’s drive for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment generation. The delegation hoped that the best would come up for the people and media in the upcoming budget.
