Sales tax hike: PTI chief slams PM Nawaz over 'anti-poor policy'

Imran Khan says Nawaz’s policies have widened the gulf between haves and have-nots

ISLAMABAD: Criticising Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the rising sales tax on petroleum products, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said on Sunday that the Sharifs always burden the poor with indirect taxes to subsidise the rich.

In clear violation of the Supreme Court orders, the government on December 31, 2014, announced an increase in the sales tax rate on petroleum products from 17% to 22%, putting a 30% tax burden on consumers.



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Taking to his Twitter account, the chief said a five per cent increase in the sales tax clearly reflects the premier’s anti-poor policies.

Sharifs always burden the poor with indirect taxes to subsidise the rich. 5% GST raise on petroleum products reflects this anti-poor policy.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 1, 2015

“During all his three tenures as Prime Minister, Nawaz’s policies have widened the gulf between the haves and the have-nots,” he added.

During all his 3 tenures as PM, NS's policies have widened the gulf between the haves and the have-nots.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 1, 2015

The government’s decision also sparked an uproar in Parliament last month as the Opposition staged a unified walkout and called the move unconstitutional.

“This decision is unconstitutional and in total violation of Supreme Court judgments,” said Senator Raza Rabbani (PPP, Sindh).



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The senator also referred to Article 77 of the Constitution in the Senate, which states that taxes can only be imposed through legislation.