Last year, the Government of Pakistan increased existing taxes and introduced new ones on essential items like milk, electricity, and gas. Meanwhile, in the past 8 months, the Government of Pakistan received $20 billion in loans. Yet, no new development projects have been initiated in the past year. At the same time, even the military has acquired new weapons from China worth over $45 million through a soft loan.
Therefore, it was expected that the Government would lower axes especially on essential items contributing to rising inflation. However, instead of offering relief, the government has imposed additional taxes. At the same time, it has failed to cut costs, reduce excess energy production, or halt unnecessary RLNG imports.
Considering this scenario, one is compelled to ask the Government: where have they spent the 20$ Billion loan? How were last year’s additional tax revenues utilised? And why are taxes enhanced in the new budget? Where is all this money going? Because so far, we have seen no new projects, no development, and no improvement in our daily lives.
Shahryar Khan Baseer
Islamabad
