Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) addresses the business community in Islamabad on Thursday with the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar (R) in attendance. PHOTO: PID
During his address to businessmen and traders in Islamabad, he said that the government would forego the requisite requirement of asking for the source of investment, if they are made in the government's green field projects or expansion projects in certain sectors after January 2014. Standard regulations under Narcotics Act of 1977, Anti-Terrorism Act of 1977 and the Anti-Money Laundering Law will still be applicable to curb inflow of black money.
He told the business community that he "hopes to make it possible that the country's policies are approved by [businessmen and traders]," Express News reported.
The incentive scheme is being extended to the investment starved Thar coal project, and low cost housing schemes - a manifesto promise of the incumbent government. A negative list of industries, to which these incentives will remain inaccessible, include ammunition, weapons, fertiliser, sugar, cigarettes, beverages, textile spinning units, ghee, flour mills, cement and edible oil mills.
"We are far behind other countries... so far behind that we are mentioned amongst the lowest countries in the world," Express News reported Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as saying on Thursday.
"I hope that the spirit of nationalism will rise in all of you and that you will pay your taxes," he added.
Tax awards
Nawaz also announced plans to reward those people who have been diligently filing their taxes.
The premier said that in order to encourage tax payers a 'Privileged Tax Payers Cards' would be issued to 400 top tax payers in different categories including chief executive officers, association of persons, salaried and non-salaried class tax payers.
The card will grant a holder access to VIP lounges at airports, fast track immigration‚ passports would be issued gratis and their existing baggage allowance would be increased from $500 to $5,000 from March next year.
The prime minister said excellence awards will also be given to ten top most tax payers in each category and he himself would be hosting annual dinner in their honour.
Nawaz added that announced tax returns of all those who have paid at least 25% tax more than they did the year before will now be exempt from total audit. For this purpose‚ the last date for filing of tax returns was being extended to December 15, 2013. Those who have already filed their returns can also avail this facility by revising their returns.
The premier said tax returns of those who have been filing for the last five years would also be exempt from audit, provided they pay at least Rs20,000 in tax.
Those acquiring NTN for the first time would be exempt from penalty and default surcharge provided they pay at least Rs25,000 tax.
Special incentives would also be available to ten top most tax payers from among the new tax payers.
Foreign tours
The premier has recently been travelling around the world to discuss bilateral trade with heads of state.
Earlier this month, while addressing a group of Thai and Pakistani businessmen in Bangkok, Nawaz had said that he strongly believes that promotion of bilateral regional trade was an effective way to promote sustainable economic growth.
He had said that Pakistan was pursuing a policy of enhanced regional cooperation through various trade agreements, adding that the top priority of his government was to create a framework that would foster rapid economic development.
The premier had added that Pakistan is an emerging economy and a gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Middle East. He had said that the regional countries could help each other by reaching markets that are not easily accessible.
He had mentioned the country’s free trade agreements with China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, adding that the government was looking to Pakistan’s entry into the GSP plus Scheme of the European Union.
COMMENTS (24)
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Thats good step for Pakistan Economy.
keep on touch
@Sandip: meanwhile indian & hindu nationalists spread hate comments on pakistan to express their nationalism
@The Failed Rebel: Income and wealth are two different economic and taxation concept. Accumulated income over time is called wealth......That's why income tax and wealth tax are two different things.No rocket science.
The Pakistani spirit of nationalism awakes when someone else foots the bills for the the boys. That's when the boys make sure that they use all their agents in the media to rile up nationalist fervor. For something where the boys would have to fork out money (since all of them are now millionaires many times over), it doesn't cut much ice with the.
This is a good approach to encourage honesty and enhance income & employment opportunities in Pakistan.
Exemptions and benefits to businessmen, nothing for the common man. Keep it up Nawaz Sharif.
So this is what the "best economic team" of pmln could come with? What a joke....
More money to be made by some.
First, you start paying taxes. Ask your son, relatives, and those of your Ministers to bring back the money they stole from Pakistan, and invest in Pakistan. Also ask them to pay taxes.
Second, payback the loans you and your family defaulted on, with interest.
Third, tax the traders, and the agriculturalists.
Fourth, stop these gimmicks of "privileged Tax ID cards". It is not going to work, unless it's tailor made for you and your cronies to turn black money into white.
@Rao:
800,000/180 million people pay tax. Not even 1%, let alone the entire nation.
Pls increase this number from 400 to a larger number, Pakistan is a big country.
Also provide useful benefits to the less earning working class as this will increase the no. of taxpayers in the country.
@Acorn Guts: please appreciate when a good step is taken. Something is better than nothing
Great Job, Even though i am not a nawaz sharif supporter
First time after decades we are seeing some good relaxation and benefits for the common people. This step will definitely encourage investments and businesses increasing employment opportunities!
Sir, entire nation is paying tax. Please ask to the parliamentarian to pay their taxes.
What?!? Mind = blown
‘Privileged Tax Payers Cards’ to top 400 taxpayers that gives them all those benefits? Well, those top 400 can 'afford to pay' for all those 'benefits' out of their own pocket without batting an eyelid .. so what is the incentive here? who's coming up with all this faff?
I guess incentives to small taxpayers should also be available since most of the working population in this country lies in lower to middle income bracket. Perhaps attaching some generic benefits to one's tax cards can help the government increase the tax base. But nonetheless, a good beginning, hope it proves worthwhile.