Business Recorder's regular op-ed writers "Huzaima Bukhari and Dr Ikramul Haq" have underscored the need for the creation of "National Taxation Authority". In this regard, they have argued, inter alia: "For harnessing the full tax potential at federal, provincial and local government levels, National Tax Authority (NTA) is the need of the hour. Through consensus and democratic process, all the parliaments can enact laws for establishing an autonomous NTA that would facilitate people to deal with single Revenue Authority rather than multiple agencies at national, provincial and local levels. The mode and working of NTA can be discussed and finalised under Council of Common Interests [Article 153] and its control can be placed under National Economic Council [Article 156]." No doubt, this is a very important proposal towards expanding the country's woeful tax base. But the question is: Will the proposed NTA deliver? I have strong doubts about government's sincerity towards the creation of an equitable and judicious taxation system. The writers too have no confidence in our parliamentarians in this regard. According to them, "[i]n these columns since long (present series started on April 10, 2015) we have been presenting concrete suggestions for reconfiguring of tax system to raise revenues of Rs 8 trillion, but no notice has been taken by those who matter in the land to make these a part of debate and discourse on national budget making process. This shows extreme apathy on the part of so-called "experts" who have never produced a single working paper on the issues of fiscal challenges faced by Pakistan and how to meet them by devising a comprehensive policy and implementation plan having short-term, medium-term and long-term goals and objectives." Although their pessimism about the future of the country depresses me, there is nothing wrong with being a pessimist.
Comments
Comments are closed.