‘Govt to take action against graft in tax dept’

CM’s Adviser Malik Naeem Bazai says online tax system would reduce corruption

QUETTA: Chief Minister’s Adviser on Excise and Taxation Malik Naeem Bazai has said the provincial excise department has been raising its tax collection target, adding that the government has decided to take strict action against corrupt elements in government departments.

“All available resources are being utilised to yield better results from the excise department. We are trying to meet the given tax-collection target of more than Rs2 billion,” Bazai said on Saturday.

The adviser was speaking at a ceremony held to hand over keys of new vehicles worth Rs50 million to the officers and staff of the department.

He said the provincial government had digitalised the vehicle registration and documentation process, which had decrease corruption in the department. “Online tax system would also be helpful to reduce corruption,” he said.

He said the government is pursuing a strict policy against corruption in the Balochistan Excise and Taxation Department. “We will publicise action against corrupt elements through media,” he added.

Replying to question regarding Karachi police reportedly confiscating his vehicle, he said, “They released my personal vehicle at the Karachi Port after I presented the legal documents.”

Addressing the ceremony, Balochistan Excise and Taxation Director General Sohailur Rehman said the online taxation system would be helpful to curb the presence of unregistered vehicles in the province. “We have started a survey to increase property tax in Balochistan,” he said.