ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan has said the government believes in collecting taxes and broadening of tax base with the help of business community in a business-friendly environment, free of duress and intimidation.
“We consider the support of traders and business community as a key to the government’s efforts to maximise revenue collections and resource mobilization,” he said, while talking to a delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at FBR House.
The delegation was led by its Senior Vice President Nasir Mirza. The other office-bearers of the chamber and senior hierarchy of the FBR were also present on the occasion.
Khan said the government had increased the revenue growth by 20 percent which came out even better at 24 percent during November.
“This is a positive trend and this must continue in coming months for the socio-economic uplift of the country,” he added. To a question, he said the FBR field formations were already in regular touch with the chambers and traders’ associations and this close interaction would be strengthened in coming months for the broadening of tax base.
“The government does not want to burden the existing taxpayers and we are keen on finding new taxpayers,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Rawalpindi Chamber’s Senior Vice President Nasir Mirza, Sohail Altaf, Ahsan Naseem and others thanked Haroon Akhtar Khan for understanding the issues and concerns of small traders and for ensuring a cordial and conducive environment for the growth of small businesses. They also vowed to make Rawalpindi a model zone in terms of tax compliance and cooperation towards the FBR’s efforts for broadening of tax base.
