ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan has said that the government is considering more incentives for the industrial sector in the upcoming budget. He said that hard decisions had improved the economic situation and boosted the confidence of investors.
Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Computer Association and representatives of IT sector led by President FPCCI Abdul Rauf Alam, he said that the FBR achieved its target, over one million people have been included in the tax net, enforcement has been improved and that cost of doing business of non-filers will increase.
Members of FBR Rehmatullah Khan Wazir and Nasir Masroor, Munawar Iqbal and Abdullah Malik of PCA and others were also present on the occasion. Khan said that country cannot progress without IT therefore this sector would be given full attention and its problems would be resolved on preference.
He noted that import of laptops has reduced while undocumented imports have gained ground which will be dealt with. Haroon Akhtar Khan said imposing flat rate on import of PCs and laptops is being considered while problems regarding payment on purchase of software is being tackled.
Earlier, Abdul Rauf Alam said that IT sector is facing different tax rates in different provinces while some rules are unclear which is adding to the problems of business community.He said that almost three thousand companies and over one hundred thousand individuals are engaged in IT business that need encouragement. This business does not require large infrastructure but only human resource, therefore it can help reduce unemployment at a low cost while it can help country earn hefty foreign exchange.
The FPCCI president said that government can consider declaring call centers part of IT industry for its rapid growth, adding that attention in this sector can push Pakistan’s exports to three billion dollars in short span. The IT industry can play a major role in bolstering the economy of Pakistan as demonstrated by countries like India, Philippines and Singapore.
