ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Economic Affairs and Revenue Miftah Ismail said on Monday that the government is taking several measures for enhancing tax net to increase revenue, with the consultation of all provisional stakeholders.
“The mobilisation of domestic resources through reforms in taxation is essential to ensure sustainable financing of development as the government would not depend on a foreign loan”, Miftah said in an interview to a private news channel.
While appreciating former finance minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, he said, Dar contributed to country’s economic stability and growth.
He assured that in a month “We will take further steps to make our economy, more strong through tax reforms.”
“We want to facilitate the new tax filers and lessen the tax burden on middle-class citizens for balancing tax distribution”, he added.
He further said Pakistan’s government in recent months has stabilised the rupee and tariffs on imported goods to boost exports to reduce growing balance of payments.
Ismail said the government planned tax reforms to focus on widening the tax base, simplifying tax structures, and slashing personal tax rates to encourage more people to file returns.
“We have to reduce rates and the prime minister is very eager, especially reduce rates on individuals,” Ismail said.
Pakistan has a very narrow tax base and successive governments have promised to rein in tax evaders and boost revenues.
“We will probably not go back to the international markets to issue new bonds until the end of next calendar year so it will not be in this fiscal year anymore,” he concluded.
