Focal person urged for tax-related issues of overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar asked the Federal Board of Revenue on Monday to nominate a focal person for resolving tax-related issues of overseas Pakistanis.

The decision was taken during a meeting held to review tax-related problems being faced by overseas Pakistanis. A delegation of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis’ Commission led by Afzaal Bhatti, the commissioner, attended the meeting.

According to an official announcement, the commissioner requested the minister to nominate a focal person at the FBR to help and assist overseas Pakistanis and their families for answering their queries related to tax matters.

Mr Bhatti pointed out the issue of recently imposed tax on air tickets being charged from expatriate Pakistanis departing for abroad. The representative of the finance ministry clarified that this tax was a provincial tax and had not been imposed by the federal government.

The minister said if the commission or Overseas Pakistanis wanted to submit any proposal for the benefit of the overseas Pakistanis they should submit it at the earliest so that it could be considered for the next budget.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2015

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Comments (9) Closed

zain

Oct 13, 2015 07:45am

Well the amount of loans that our government have taken from IMF and other institution has only crippled the economy. Loans were used to invest in mega projects that weren't even suitable for the city to begin with for instance the metro project. These projects may have a strong prospect but given the condition of our countries people buying power and high taxation have further derailed our economy. Government initiative to collect tax like these will only discourage people from paying tax and many businesses and individuals have already stopped doing so. Imposing these taxes on tickets etc will only discourage tourism as well as foreign traffic to our airports and as a result this strategy is bound to happen. I wonder how much tax does this Dar guy pays... He wants our proposal I alternatives then perhaps force all these politicians to pay tax on their income. Perhaps create fool proof system to ensure all money earned by these politicians goes through the tax system.

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Afzal.H

Oct 13, 2015 07:48am

Can the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis notify the Embassies and the Consulates to post on their websites for the invitation of suggestions from Overseas Pakistanis. An email address should be provided where suggestions can be submitted for consideration of the FBR.

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Karachite

Oct 13, 2015 08:34am

Refuge from bank transaction tax would be a good start.

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blunt

Oct 13, 2015 10:37am

So if Punjab does not levy any tax on air tickets and Sindh does, should one travel to Punjab for boarding. Ridiculous. Certain things should always remain with the center.

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Oct 13, 2015 11:31am

WH Tax on expatriates deposits & remittances in pak should be lifted.

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L. H. Zaidi

Oct 13, 2015 11:49am

WE send money to our parents and loved ones. It is extremely sad that we have been imposed a new tax for more than Rs50000 transactions. I have paid this tax for Rs 500,000. I paid this tax (RS 950.00) Air travel tax in August this year. I understand it is is imposed at every airport across the country. Please get rid of it.

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nac Paris

Oct 13, 2015 03:07pm

Pakistan should not penalize foreigner to overcome their failure to collect taxes from rich majority of whom are their financier. Pakistan should realize that foreigners are the biggest contributor to their foreign exchange reserves through remittances, therefore they should be treated with some respect

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mansoor

Oct 13, 2015 06:26pm

what & where is the Forum, for expatriate to address their grivences

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Muhammad Irfan

Oct 13, 2015 10:03pm

Increasing tax net be the priority of all Govt. The overseas Pakistanis given some incentives based on their contribution to the Economy as compare to the others . The withdrawal Tax to increase Tax Net is forcing people to use cash to avoid .03 The overseas Pakistanis should be exempted from this Tax and Furthermore they should be given incentive in the stock market a reduced gain tax be applied to them. The Govt should overhaul the Property Tax the Price Mechanism should be established asper the Areas where the Property prices are having vast difference in Market and taxable price. All the big shopping Centres sale to be Monitor by putting an honest team for 10 days in a year to verify the actual sale to bring them in taxnet if they fall under those catogaries. Let do some thing ourselves instead forcing other forces to run the show. Now the cost of doing business is favourable for traders in Pakistan particularly in Karachi its right time to effectively bring them in Tax net.

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