Strategy prepared to remove business community's reservations: PM Imran

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Strategy prepared to remove business community's reservations: PM Imran

Dawn.com Published October 3, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that a strategy has been prepared to remove the business community's reservations about the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Radio Pakistan reported. — Photo courtesy Radio Pakistan

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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that a strategy has been prepared to remove the business community's reservations about the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Radio Pakistan reported.

While speaking to a delegation of members of various chambers of commerce and industry, the premier added that a committee of business personalities was being formed to resolve the reservations.

Prime Minister Imran's remarks come amid concerns that NAB's investigations were impacting business activity.

Read: Cabinet mulls steps to rein in NAB over complaints by businessmen

In August, the federal cabinet had decided to make some procedural changes in NAB's working to provide a "fearless" environment for business activities and investment for the revival of the slowing economy.

Addressing traders and manufacturers in Lahore today, NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal reassured them that the watchdog was acting on their complaints and would not be a cause for disruption in their businesses.

Meanwhile, in his meeting with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the premier said that Pakistan's development was linked to the economy and added that the government was committed to providing "all possible facilities" to the business community for profitable business activities, Radio Pakistan reported.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh; Adviser to PM on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood; Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Gillani and others also participated in the meeting.

According to the report, the premier emphasised the importance of a strong partnership between the government and the business community for the country's development.

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Oct 03, 2019 03:12pm

PM sincerity can't be questioned but here issue is of the capability, competency and deliverance. If issues are not addressed soon people may demand no matter corrput but they would prefer competent people who can deliver.

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NEAL KLUGE

Oct 03, 2019 03:16pm

Good Imran bhai. Keep preparing more strategies. ONLY PREPARE!

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Najam

Oct 03, 2019 03:34pm

So when we see pressure coming in we make quick decisions.

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Jamal Ahmed

Oct 03, 2019 03:35pm

Might is right. IK understands this now.

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K Alam

Oct 03, 2019 03:42pm

Implementation of government policies/initiatives would be a dream, if we plan to use the same bureaucracy, majority of which (higher positions) even lack how to use an email. There is a need to induct/depute fresh officials with requisite skills/knowledge of 21st century in areas requiring such skills e.g. finance, economics, commerce etc. I wonder what Dr. Ishrat is able to achieve with regard to reforms in bureaucracy.

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Fastrack

Oct 03, 2019 03:42pm

With you, PM.

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Asif Khan

Oct 03, 2019 03:48pm

Yeah we know IK has all strategies from the day one he is in power.

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bhaRAT©

Oct 03, 2019 04:04pm

Pay taxes as responsible citizens.

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MONIER

Oct 03, 2019 04:10pm

Business community not used to paying taxes is complaining now that they have to pay them. During previous government tenure the enjoyed their free will of not paying taxes.

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sabeeh ahmad

Oct 03, 2019 04:11pm

Why exporters are not being issued sales tax refunds??? Do you want to decrease exports?? 17% sales tax is not bearable if not refunded or being delayed. Govt has to refund this immediately with out any more delay to save exports

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zee

Oct 03, 2019 04:18pm

We already know the results. Keep it up.

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Junaid Imran Mahmood

Oct 03, 2019 04:19pm

The only way to do this is stamp out corruption using the Chinese model. Digitalize where possible. Have a legal system that is swift and just. Penalties for anyone caught taking a bribe or slowing down an application. Reduce bureaucracy i.e. all off the above and business will thrive. Keep up the good work and follow through and don't be tempted into populist backwards measures.

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Boredom F. Talker

Oct 03, 2019 04:22pm

Action speaks louder than words. Boredom F. Talker Rwanda

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RKS

Oct 03, 2019 05:05pm

Strategy - make them sit before Gen Bajwa.

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S. Nasheed Ahmed

Oct 03, 2019 05:09pm

I have been warning PM IK through various fora about the damage caused to the country's economy due to the government's harassment of the business community and the middle class. I hope that he will listen now.

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Concerned citizen

Oct 03, 2019 05:10pm

@bhaRAT©, this so much more than getting citizens to pay taxes! They are destroying the business community

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Tariq Awan

Oct 03, 2019 05:14pm

This is not only NAB, even Income tax officers are harassing business community to meet their targets. It is not about tax collection but harassment of the business community. People will wrap up their business and go to other countries. This has happened in many countries including Pakistan in the past.

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shuaib

Oct 03, 2019 05:29pm

So the brilliant people can't understand real problem. It's not the "business people's reservations", it's the consumer which has gone because of higher inflation

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Hasnain Haque

Oct 03, 2019 05:34pm

@S. Nasheed Ahmed, asking business community to pay their dues is not Harassment, for too long businesses have excused themselves from paying any taxes. These businessess are not good for the country. m

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Hasnain Haque

Oct 03, 2019 05:35pm

I keep hearing that the businessess will move to another country, no they wont because they will have to pay taxes and they cannot bribe officials.

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Hasnain Haque

Oct 03, 2019 05:36pm

@Concerned citizen , How are they destroying the business community, these businessess have for too long avoided paying taxes and are used to paying bribes.

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manjeet kocchar

Oct 03, 2019 05:55pm

Dear Imran Sir please know the diff between strategy and tactics first

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REALITY CHECK

Oct 03, 2019 06:06pm

@sabeeh ahmad, refund means money out go and budget provision ?

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SHAHID SATTAR

Oct 03, 2019 06:34pm

No hurry. Take your time. The poor NAB has to show its fangs to some of the businessmen before they could be turned harmless by the government. That way every one will be happy including the NAB guys.

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usman

Oct 03, 2019 07:04pm

The main priority is to pay loans and out of IMF till then, unfortunately, the nation has to suffer, hence, better now than later. IK taking all the blame, but he has two options; either to sit and take more loans and later our children will suffer or else suffer now for the better future of our kids. Maybe we understand this and realize that we have to suffer for once and currently it is the right time to face challenges or else after a few years it shall difficult for Pakistan to survive. I trust on IK and he will survive this tough situation and will make Pakistan a prosperous state.

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Oct 03, 2019 07:19pm

Again words. Where is the action!!!

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Neal

Oct 03, 2019 07:43pm

@HK, agree. It is issue of capability and competency. Business community have been raising red flag for 8 months and now they finally figure out when a 30% deficit in tax collection

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hamza khan

Oct 03, 2019 08:02pm

the taxation drive and corruption drive should continue. the traders are complaining because its something they obv are afraid of.

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Oct 03, 2019 08:07pm

Preparing strategies of doing nothing.

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Zulfi Ahmad

Oct 03, 2019 08:26pm

Businesses are created to make money. Beaurucrats are hell bent not to let them do that unless they get their share. Banks would not lent to private sector unless there is no risk or interest rate is extremely high. Govt get loans at very interest rate rather than getting it from state bank at zero percent. The whole formula is wrong. Creators of employment in the country (SME ,traders and retailers have no access to the credit. State Bank is managed by 1940 economists when Kerosene was used in the cars. These are Kerosene economists. Kick them out. Helicopter money is the only solution.

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rafiq

Oct 03, 2019 08:38pm

Business community must be heard and accommodated to succeed in exports all over the world. The reward would everlasting win win situation.

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Amin Arab

Oct 03, 2019 08:52pm

Will businesses going to accept any thing other than not paying their due tax?

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HashBrown®

Oct 03, 2019 09:25pm

@bhaRAT©, "Pay taxes as responsible citizens." 100% agree. It seems this is the main sticking point, that many businesses still seem to want to enjoy a free lunch. What worries me is exactly how PMIK will have a plan that may allow this to continue...

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LAHORI KID

Oct 03, 2019 09:36pm

With any business, with any situation, you make needed changes, especially when one branch oversteps their power, and it affects the flow of business. No question NAB went a little too far with their tactics, accountability isn’t limited to the people, it’s also for the institutions trying to enforce it.

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Gordon D. Walker

Oct 03, 2019 09:43pm

As usual, Khan listens... Shows leadership... Tackles the important questions... The world wishes him well. Gordon D. Walker Canada

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M. Afzal Riaz, MD

Oct 03, 2019 09:58pm

Business community do not want to pay taxes. Scared of NAB 95 % are crooks.

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Khurram

Oct 03, 2019 10:11pm

Strategy comes up in a day when COAS takes interest, else nothing.

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Oct 03, 2019 10:39pm

This is a problem in our country everyone wants not a little extra but a huge load of extra money

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Hassan

Oct 03, 2019 11:15pm

Why tax is not imposed on agriculture income?

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Oct 03, 2019 11:53pm

How can politicians do corruption without support of businessmen? So we will go after politicians but provide all out support to businessmen. Does it sound fair?

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jaredlee007

Oct 04, 2019 12:01am

Business community does not want to pay taxes so NAB's efforts are not being welcomed. Make everyone pay taxes, no exceptions!

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