ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan for initiating radical changes in the tax administration to make it rationalized and progressive.
The decision will provide relief to masses and ensure rapid economic development for which profound changes in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) were very important, it said.
FBR can play its role in the national development if honest and hardworking people are appointed as its chairman, member customs, member inland revenue and director generals of customs intelligence and inland revenue intelligence, said Brig Muhammad Aslam Khan (Retd), Chairman PEW in a statement issued here.
He said that senior officials having tainted repute, known for bribery, departmental politics, conspiracies, promoting elite and working for the interests of major industrial groups should be shown the door.
He said that two senior officers enjoy all the powers in the apex tax body, therefore, responsibilities should be shared and an effective system of internal accountability should be introduced.
He added that the debt to GDP ratio had jumped to over 70 per cent due to mismanagement of the former governments which was a threat to country’s sovereignty.
Indirect taxes will always benefit corrupt tax officials and the moneyed and it will never allow the country to become self-sufficient, he warned.
