Pakistan

'Supporting new tax is a crime'

Nisar slams RGST, flood tax, as opposition parties jointly vow to block the passage of imposing new taxes on masses.

Express November 11, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar has said that suppporting the reformed general sales tax (RGST) would be tantamount to committing a crime. He warned of stern opposition if the government tried to impose it.

Nisar made this categorical statement in the National Assembly's session today (Thursday). Opposition parties boycotted the meeting and vowed to block the passage of imposing new taxes on the masses. The MQM has also openly protested the RGST today.

ANP's minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour termed the RGST and flood relief surcharge a 'sin' by the government of Pakistan. At one stage the PPP's minister Syed Khursheed Shah blamed the PML-N for point scoring on price hike and other issues.

PML-N and PML-Q have also joined hands to move a resolution against hike in petroleum products prices in the National Assembly. The speaker adjouned the session till Friday.

Background

The federal cabinet has approved a bill to overhaul the tax regime, announcing new tax measures of Rs69 billion, primarily to rebuild flood-hit areas, initiating a process of ‘correcting past mistakes’.

Allied parties remained wary of the new tax and major coalition partners like the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) expressed reservations, insisting that they had not been taken into confidence on the bill. (read the full report here).

International lenders have been urging Pakistan to reform its taxation regime and power sector tariffs as a prerequisite for continuing support for the country’s ailing economy.

COMMENTS (7)

Klues | 14 years ago | Reply Haahahaha @ Bouk, Kafan and Qabar

Afzal Rahim Khan Yusufzai | 14 years ago | Reply This Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) bill comes from the party which has the slogan Roti Kapra Makan. Instead they should come up for the new slogan for 2013 Election Bouk, Kafan aur Qabar. Jiyai 1000%. Pakistan Khappai !!

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Waqas | 14 years ago | Reply "The federal cabinet approved has approved a bill to overhaul the tax regime, besides announcing new tax measures of Rs69 billion, primarily to rebuild flood-hit areas, initiating a process of ‘correcting past mistakes’." Where are the copy editors?

Jafakush | 14 years ago | Reply You can tell the insincerity of opposition by the fact that nobody is talking about 10% increase on income tax and 10% increase on withholding tax which will be passed to us. On top of that 14% inflation. Opposition just want to do a noora kushti.

RG | 14 years ago | Reply Why paying Taxs is a crime? how much did u pay? as a salried person I have been doing it now for 30 years is that a crime ..pay up u MNA's Senators and MPA's...your time has come if you do not than we will get you on the streets of Pakistan.

Asrar Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply 1) all classes of people should pay their due share on all sources of income; be it fruit farms,agriculture income,salary,business,property income etc. 2) The government cannot continue squeezing same tax payers for more and more taxes.This is un-just an dun-fair 3) RGST and additional taxes should not be imposed.They will be crippling. 4) What needs to be done is FBR should improve their administration and re-duce what the ex-Finance Minister had said: Rs 500 billion evasion and corruption 5) All political parties should join hands in opposing un-just taxes.They will win confidence of masses. 6) 80% of the people in this country cannot afford three good meals.People are hurting.Additional taxes and inflation will be a major blow to the poor people and middle class

Karim | 14 years ago | Reply What about agriculture tax ??????????????? Why do you protect the landlords??????????? because you and your party are your selves the big landlords !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how could you tax your own selves.

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