This refers to the news report, ‘Agriculture Income Tax enforced in two provinces: FinMin’. According to the report, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue that agriculture income tax has been approved by provincial assemblies of Punjab and K-P whereas the IMF was fully cognisant that progress on this front was underway in Sindh and Balochistan. Fair enough indeed!
This is an absolutely right step for the country’s enhancement in tax revenues and for mapping out the entire economic spectrum, both urban and rural. One caveat though: it would be preferred that on account of rampant rural poverty, a substantial chunk of the agricultural income tax be spent on the rural folk of the provinces from where it has been collected in the shape of income support, farmers support, educational, healthcare and road infrastructure, digitalisation, etc.
That way, you will be collecting taxes and reducing poverty, at the same time! These are two important keys to ensure a vibrant Pakistan in the future.
Abbas R Siddiqi
Lahore
