Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh.—File Photo

KARACHI: Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said Tuesday that the government has no plans of introducing any ‘new tax system’ or increasing tax rate in the upcoming national budget 2012-13.

He was speaking to media representatives at the 28th Corporate Excellence Awards of the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) at a local hotel.

Hafeez said that the government was trying to further simplify tax collection and eliminate the chances of any direct dealings between the FBR and tax payers to minimize the element of corruption.

“Tax net will be broadened and wealthy and affluent people will be brought into this net in the budget to enhance self reliance of the country,” he added.

Hafeez said government will not try to further burden the existing honest tax payers and instead aims at improving tax collection.

Outlining the main features of the next budget, he said major issues including unemployment and inflation are being addressed in the budget while efforts will be made to control these two major irritants.

Hafeez said that an increase in tax revenue will enable the government to undertake further development projects and improve law and order by further increasing efficiency of police.

Referring to revenue collection, Hafeez said that tax collection during the nine months of the current fiscal year had recorded a growth of 25 per cent over last year.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...
Taxing pensions
Updated 11 May, 2024

Taxing pensions

Tax reforms have failed to deliver because of distortions created by the FBR bureaucracy through SROs, apparently for personal gains.
Orwellian slide
11 May, 2024

Orwellian slide

IN recent years, Pakistan has made several attempts at introducing an overarching mechanism through which to check...
Terror against girls
11 May, 2024

Terror against girls

ONCE again, the ogre of terrorism is seeking the sacrifice of schoolgirls. On Wednesday, just days after the...