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PM describes tax evaders as 'enemies of the nation', wants FBR to crack down
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Jehanzaib Khan to employ modern methods and techniques in order to bring non-tax payers into the tax net, RadioPakistan reported.
The prime minister, while chairing a meeting in Islamabad regarding the federal government's steps to collect revenue, was reported to have said that tax evaders are enemies of the nation and do not deserve any concession.
He reportedly said that tax evaders and non-tax payers should be exposed before the people, and indiscriminate action should be ensured not only against tax evaders but also against FBR officials who facilitate the theft of tax.
Read: FBR told to focus on simplifying tax collection system
Prime Minister Khan, according to the radio broadcast network, also admonished FBR, saying its focus should be on tax evaders and non-filers instead of the harassment of regular taxpayers.
Attendants of the PM-chaired meeting were informed that over six thousand cases concerning 'high net worth individuals' are under review, and that a total collection of over Rs2 billion is expected from them, of which Rs1.3bn have already been received.
Sixty-six cases following information gathering and investigation are also being examined and over Rs1.5 billion have also been collected in this regard.
The FBR said that the mapping of 2,000 plazas has been completed, while an automatic system to collect tax has been installed at over 2,500 points of sale. The new measures, the FBR claimed, are expected to boost revenue collection by a total Rs24.818bn in the ongoing year, of which Rs11.882bn have already been collected.
Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, State Minister for Revenue Hammad Azhar and other PTI leaders attended the meeting.
Comments (46) Closed
What about the people you are addressing before election. Do you have law or courage to get looted money back.
The main drain of tax money is through the corrupt individuals of FBR who take bribe and save the non tax payers and non filers,till the government does not do anything to address this the system would not become encouraging and transparent.
This is the good time to bring Agriculture Income in the Tax Net excluding small farmers !!
He is top of the list
Make it mandatory and online.
Go for it... I would advise to implemend efiling system. Raise the penalties and interest like IRS do....for every late filer and to those who intentionally fail to do it penalties should be higher plus the jail time....:
Wasn't his own sister one of them? I mean a tax evader.
Can't fix corrupt system and can't bring justice. Keep using Awam as a scapegoat
good step
Has he seen the number of indirect taxes the public is paying?!!
IK is 100% right. Pakistani nation stands with him.
How many times they will have to repeat this before actually falling to work? That's how one turns oneself into a laughing stock
There should also be strong protection and rewards for serious whistle-blowers who report tax evaders. The present FBR mechanism is actually geared to support the evaders, not the public reporters of tax crimes.
The government has to treat thoroughly and fast the tax collection problem and to bring back to the country the huge amount of looted money taken out of the country.
@Irfan, Yeah if Nation stands behind , each times he goes against corrupt , Democracy start facing risk .
If FBR department closed in Pakistan tax problem will be solved . They take most of Pakistan tax money to their home and leave nothing for poor Gov.
Well done
Close all tax loop holes and enforce strict punishment. Only way to collect tax.
Any tax dues still pending from IK's sister?
R.S. Menon, Bangalore
Tax evaders should be named and shamed publicly since there seems to be no other way to make people pay taxes. Also, government should make tax system simpler so that everyone could know how to file their tax returns and pay taxes conveniently.
@SMI, "This is the good time to bring Agriculture Income in the Tax Net excluding small farmers !!"
And also property taxes. The rich with their lavish houses should not get away by paying peanuts in the form of property taxes. As a minimum, the annual property tax should be 1% of the value of the structure. So a structure worth 5 crore should result in 5 lacks and not 50 thousand or less, as it is today. Plus the valuation of the structure and the tax paid on it should be in the public domain for everyone to see and access.
A man on the mission. Respects
Practical call by our PM, IK. How Pakistan can survive if rich or big capitalist don't pay tax?
Give some incentives instead of threats. Tax payers are also Pakistanis like FBR people who do not know how to facilitate tax payers instead of threats.
Support your country. Pay your taxes...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
How much tax has he paid on his multi-billion rupee Bani Gala property?
Des that include Aleema Khan?
Dear PM IK, if you wish increase tax revenues, then please, appoint 'honest' FBR tax inspectors as dishonest inspectors are only working for themselves!
To move the things forwards the government has to clean accountably the FBR bureaucracy and structure.
@SkyHawk, But Imran Khan paid less than Rs 200,000 tax during the previous year. His life style is close to MBS. How can he blame other country men on this count?
Scrap the income tax, introduce spending tax
Fantastic news. If you did not evade tax you got nothing to worry about. Simple!
How much tax does Imran Khan pay every year?
He himself does not pay the correct tax please do research on his tax record.
I want every Pakistani to check our prime ministers tax record he pays less than 1 lac a year.
An average Pakistani spends more money on Halwa Puri on Shab e Barat and Qurbani at Eid uzzaha than paying taxes.What sense does it make to target Aleema Khan or Imran Khan.As a nation majority is tax cheats and no one wants to admit it.Everyone wants to fabricate excuses NOT to pay taxes.
@Shah, that is the problem. Addressed so well.
FBR is the starting point of corporate corruption, it needs be cracking down first.
Very true, now every one who read this decide where they stand
Regular good steps will lead to a better future
@Ali, E-filing is already there with a number of laws. Real problem is the corrupt and incompetent FBR officials who only squeeze those already in the tax net, but don't go after the big tax evaders out of the net.
How serious is the government about tax collection? Why not start by investigating some of the high ups in the FBR? You will soon find reasons for why don't engage with the FBR
I agree. But Please make that 1 page Tax form and more people will happily follow...they also need proof that the corrupt have been effectively removed from the system and the tax money ia safe...those things still need to be worked on. Pakistanis hate to see an accountability bureau letting the crooks off for that would dishearten tax collection.
how about a flat 2.5% zakat tax so no one will fail to pay ??
He is only politician talking sense.
Firstly remove black sheep from FBR if you need tax by all applicable people. Corruption is main cause in low tax payer ratio.