Gilani seeks wider tax net to boost AJK revenue

PM calls for simpler, transparent and taxpayer-friendly tax regime

MUZAFFARABAD:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani has directed the government to broaden the tax net and strengthen revenue collection mechanisms to maximise public receipts, stressing that improved revenue mobilisation was essential for fiscal stability and enhancing the government's capacity to generate resources.

Chairing a meeting of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the prime minister called for a simpler, transparent and taxpayer-friendly tax regime.

He directed officials to facilitate taxpayers while ensuring that revenue targets were achieved through effective monitoring and administrative reforms.

The meeting reviewed in detail the department's performance, progress towards revenue targets, expansion of the tax base and measures to improve collection, besides taking stock of various departmental matters.

Secretary Inland Revenue Younis Mir and Commissioner IRD South Zone Syed Ansar Ali briefed the prime minister on the department's performance, revenue collection and progress towards achieving the targets set for the department.

Gilani directed the department to formulate an effective strategy for achieving its revenue targets and further improve the collection mechanism.

He said enhancing government resources and ensuring fiscal stability required a sustained improvement in revenue collection.

PM Gilani emphasised that taxpayers should be provided maximum facilities and that the tax system should be made easier and more accessible to encourage compliance.

He also ordered the authorities to expand the tax net and introduce measures to make the system more transparent and people-friendly, particularly to ensure that citizens and business operators did not face unnecessary difficulties in fulfilling their tax obligations.

Gilani called for greater transparency in tax-related affairs, effective oversight and improved administrative efficiency.

He directed the department to develop a modern revenue collection system in line with contemporary requirements, which could simultaneously facilitate taxpayers and increase government revenues.

The prime minister also directed the authorities to ensure effective and timely prosecution of cases pending before courts relating to Inland Revenue matters. He said expediting such cases was necessary to bring disputes involving public revenues to their logical conclusion. He ordered regular reviews of progress towards revenue targets and directed officials to establish an effective monitoring mechanism to track the department's performance.

"Negligence in achieving the prescribed revenue targets will not be tolerated," the prime minister said, stressing the need for continuous monitoring of departmental performance and timely corrective measures wherever required.

Gilani also directed the authorities to address manpower and accommodation-related issues confronting the Inland Revenue Department, saying adequate institutional capacity was necessary for the department to discharge its responsibilities effectively and strengthen the revenue collection system.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Sardar Adnan Khursheed, Secretary Inland Revenue Younis Mir, Commissioner Inland Revenue South Zone Syed Ansar Ali, Secretary Central Board of Revenue Dr Shazia and other relevant officials.