LAHORE: Since its introduction in 2016, the of Provincial Revenue Authority (PRA) has conducted tax clinics for different sectors, registered new taxpayers and inducted new smart systems like RIMS, STRIVE, E-Courts into its portfolio.
The PRA as a provincial tax collection authority has achieved its revenue targets in the past and would meet the target for the current fiscal year. The authority has collected Rs 75 billion in nine months, which is 50 percent higher than the corresponding period of the last year. These remarks were stated by chairman PRA Dr. Raheal Ahmed Siddiqui at an event conducted at a local hotel as part of Tax Day celebrations.
The event was also attended by Javed Ahmed (Member Operation PRA), Ali Mansoor (Commissioner Appeal PRA), Aman Anwar Kadwai (Additional Commissioner PRA), Salman Zafar (Director IT PRA) and delegates of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Pakistan, Pakistan Tax Bar Association, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Overseas Investors of Commerce and Industry, Department of International Development, Pakistan Business Council and delegations from all provincial authorities including the FBR.
Chief guest Dr. Hafeez Pasha during his speech shed light on the need for harmonization amongst all revenue collecting agencies to attract more local and foreign businesses.
He praised PRA in introducing a transparent tax system in a very short span of time. He also advised the authorities to gain the confidence of the businessmen before implementing any new taxes so that fewer implications are faced and more revenue can be generated. He praised PRA’s initiative towards conducing Tax Clinics for different sectors as he thinks this helps gain trust of the industrialist but advised the government to make business friendly policies.
He also applauded PRA’s initiative of introduction RIMS like monitoring system for different sectors as he thinks it shall not only help increase tax revenue but assist in curbing tax evasion.
