Agriculture tax has to be imposed in the forthcoming budget for survival of country's economy. This was stated by Senator Mustafa Kamal while addressing a dinner reception hosted by President All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Mian Zahid Hussain and former Vice President FPCCI, Khalid Tawab in the honour of senators Mustafa Kamal, Nasreen Jalil and Dr Farogh Nasim at a local hotel on Saturday.
Mustafa Kamal said that if the government kitty remains empty and did not have money to buy even fuel for running power generating plants it must enlarge tax net and that could be possible through imposition of income tax on agriculture sector.
"We have to enlarge our tax net and levying agriculture tax is inevitable," Kamal said. He said that without empowering local governments no good governance was possible in Pakistan. President, India Pakistan Chamber of Commerce of Commerce and Industry, S M Muneer made it clear that there was no way out except imposition of agri-tax in the forthcoming budget. He said that he repeatedly advised the present government to sit together with the stakeholders and find out solutions to the many problems being faced by the country.
Mian Zahid Hussain hoped that the rate of sales tax may be reduced in the forthcoming budget and in that way the FBR would be able to enlarge tax base. He said that economy was in shambles and the government would have to take at least one wise step to levy agriculture tax in the next budget.
Senator Dr Farogh Nasim said that there should be a friendly tax regime in the country in order to revive ailing economy. He urged upon all the races residing in Karachi to own this city and do not live here like foreigners. Senator Gul Muhammad Lot also supported levying agriculture tax in the next budget.-PR