ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday sought help from business community for broadening of the narrow tax-base.

“Without broadening the tax base, the economic prosperity would always remain a dream,” said Ishaq Dar while speaking to business executives at the Federal Board of Revenue.

“The government machinery and institutions on their part would always be making efforts to broaden the tax net, but the business community should also play its due role in pinpointing tax evaders,” he said.

An official announcement issued after the meeting said that an amount of Rs44 billion had been incurred this year on the operation Zarb-i-Azab in North Waziristan. He said an amount of Rs136billion would be spent next year on the anti-terror operation and rehabilitation of displaced persons.

Dar met leaders of prominent business associations and exchanged views with them on proposals regarding budget 2015-16.

He said the government had for the last two budgets made it a point to have close interaction with all stakeholders, including businessmen, traders, chambers of commerce and industries, business associations and others for preparing the budget which was truly reflective of the aspirations of the people.

The minister called upon the top business executives attending the meeting to help the government promote tax culture in the country by encouraging individuals in their own ranks and files who were not paying tax to come forward and contribute to the national exchequer.

About energy needs of the country, he said that it was a major challenge for the government. “We are fully focusing on this matter and by December 2017, we hope to add 10,000MW to the national grid,” he added.

He asked the FBR chairman to accord due consideration to the proposals and suggestions put forth by leaders of various business houses and associations for the budget 2015-16.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2015

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