Govt ‘reforming tax system via digitalisation’

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday said the government was reforming the taxation system through digitalisation as economic development was not possible unless the tax collection was increased.

“The government will bring in economic stability by winning the confidence of traders, industrialists, and investors,” the interim premier said in a meeting with a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On the bloated electricity bills, Kakar assured the businessmen that the reformation process in the power sector was also ongoing and action was being taken against those who were involved in electricity theft.

Read more: Kakar stresses unity with armed forces

He told them that the crackdown on smuggling across the country by the government during the last 48 hours brought positive outcomes and was also welcomed by the authorities of neighbouring countries.

The prime minister said consultation was under way to promote trade with neighbouring countries which had also welcomed the government's crackdown against smuggling.

He directed the authorities concerned to submit a report on the expansion of the Federal Board of Revenue’s Point of Sales system besides improving the performance of commercial attaches in Pakistan's diplomatic missions.

Separately, in a post on social media website X, Kakar praised the armed forces for thwarting a terrorist attack on military posts near the Pak-Afghan border in Chitral.

"Thanks to our alert forces, the terrorist attack on military posts near the Pak-Afghan border in Chitral, was repelled with heavy casualties on the terrorist side," he said in the post.

Also read: PTI concerned over Kakar’s ‘silence’ on timely polls

In a meeting with the delegation of Bohra Community, headed by Shahzada Hussain Burhanuddin, PM Kakar emphasised the need to make joint efforts to purge the society of intolerance and promote brotherhood.

The prime minister said interfaith harmony was part of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's golden principles which was also the foundation of Pakistan as well as guiding light for the people.

Hussain Burhanuddin conveyed the good wishes of his father and spiritual leader of Bohra Community Dr Mufazzal Saiduddin for the prime minister.

In another meeting with his Special Assistant for Overseas Pakistanis Jawad Sohrab Malik who called on him, Kakar directed Malik to take all-out measures to resolve the problems being faced by the overseas Pakistanis.

“The expatriates are a precious asset for Pakistan.”