LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Finance Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said on Tuesday that like previous year, all provincial tax collecting agencies including Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) would follow the policy of spreading tax net instead of increasing tax rate during the current year.
Chairing a meeting of Punjab Revenue Authority Advisory Committee here at Punjab Assembly Committee Room, she said that change would be brought in the tax culture through awareness campaigns for increasing tax receipts. Improvement of the condition of the hospitals, provision of missing facilities in schools, increase in educational scholarships, agriculture reforms, availability of Saaf Pani, better transport and law & order situation and reduction in electricity crisis were such facts as would motivate the people to pay their tax, she added. The offensive and vindictive attitude by tax collecting agencies would be discouraged and appellant tribunal would be fully empowered to take legal action against the responsible impartially.
The Minister said the Punjab Revenue Authority since its establishment had displayed best performance and adopted transparency and cooperation with taxpayers which was the cause of 87 percent increase in the rate of tax receipts on services. She said that it was necessary for taxpayers to know where the amount paid by them under the head of tax was being spent so that sense of responsibility could be created among them.
Briefing the committee, PRA Chairman Raheel Ahmed Siddiqui said that fresh graduates were being recruited for change in tax culture and increase in tax net who after special training would be sent to the fields for identification of taxable business along with public contacts. Survey would also be conducted for this purpose, he added. He also informed about preparations regarding tax day falling on April 10.
Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha directed Chairman PRA not to neglect the element of importance of tax in improving social sector during awareness campaigns regarding tax payment. She said that taxpayers should be introduced as role model and the scope of Amanat Scheme extended.
Advisory Committee expressed satisfaction over the performance of PRA and described setting up of appellant tribunal as a good omen. Chief Executive Officer Ms. Anjam Ahmed presented suggestion to make awareness regarding tax importance as an integral part of the syllabus of matric and intermediate students so that before going to practical field, they should be informed about their responsibilities.
Special Secretary Finance Saif Ullah Dogar, former Chief Economist of Pakistan Prof. Dr. Pervaiz Tahir, Executive Director LUMS Entrepreneurship Senator Khurram Zafar, Member Operations PRA Javed Ahmed, Policy Member Dr. Uzma Akram, Additional Commissioner Shahzad Mehmood Gondal and Ali Mansoor participated in the meeting.
