GCAC demands government to scrap 15% BR tax

Warns of approaching Supreme Court if issue not addressed

QUETTA: The Government Contractors Action Committee (GCAC) has rejected the provincial annual Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), demanding of the government to scrap amendment in Government Schedule Rate 1998 and Government Tax Authority, which imposes decades old 15% basic rate (BR) tax on them.

“After the 18^th Amendment, the provincial government has been responsible for collecting taxes, but now the Balochistan Revenue Authority will collect 15 per cent BR tax, which is tantamount to economic massacre of government contractors,” said GCAC members while addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Thursday.

GCAC members included Naik Muhammad Kakar, Salahuddin, Haji Abdul Rehman Bazai and others.

They said, “We completely reject the new taxes.”

‘Not up to par’: Balochistan govt unveils Rs352.3b budget for upcoming fiscal

On PSDP, they said, “The PSDP has been finalised following 1998 Schedule Rate; therefore, we can’t follow those surcharges and rates, which are two decades old.”

They also said, “The new schedule rate has been prepared but it has yet to be approved by the government. We won’t bear any new taxes and will approach the Supreme Court against such injustice.”