PESHAWAR: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmad was confident to meet the annual tax collection target of Rs 6 trillion, set for current financial year. He claimed that during first six months of the current FY22, the FBR exceeded Rs 300 billion of the actual revenue collection target.
Talking to reporters after attending a ceremony as chief guest in connection with International Customs Day held here at Model Custom House in Peshawar on Wednesday, Dr Ashfaq said the FBR will achieve Rs 6 trillion annual tax collection target by June 2022.
He also hoped the FBR will touch Rs 8 trillion by June 2023 as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Responding to a question, the FBR chief clarified that no new tax is being imposed rather only withdrawn certain sale tax exemptions worth Rs 342 billion.
Regarding broadening of the existing tax-base, Dr Ashfaq informed initiatives have been taken to remove tax distortions that can help to reduce tax ratio.
While replying to another query, the FBR chief said action has been initiated across the country and law will be finalised against tax-evaders.
He said the FBR had received two to three complaints about urea smuggling at Chaman and Angora Adda, after which prompt action was taken and authorized them to take action against smuggling of urea within 20-50 kilogram area.
Earlier, speaking at the ceremony, FBR Chairman Dr Ashfaq Ahmad emphasized that promotion of trade is essential for bringing economic prosperity and development in the country, saying that Pakistan Customs had played a pivotal role in this regard.
The event, which was held to mark International Customs Day under Theme “Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem at Peshawar, was attended by member Customs Operation, Syed Muhammad Tahir Huda, Federal Tax Ombudman, Dr Asif Mehmood Jah, Chief Collector Customs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Raza Ahmad Khan, Collector Customs Enforcement Dr Malik Kamran Khan Rajar, Collector Customs Appraisement Peshawar Amjad Rehman, Director Customs Intelligence Peshawar Yousaf Haider Orakzai, officers from Pak-Army, additional Customs collectors, RTO Peshawar Khurshid Ahmad Khan Marwat along with dignitaries, including businessmen, traders, industrialists, Customs clearing agents officials and others.
Before the start of the formal ceremony, a comprehensive documentary was played, highlighting the achievements, operational, professional obligations, trade facilitation, procedures and advancement as well as frontline Customs officers/staff who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.
A bouquet was presented to FBR Chairman Dr Ashfaq Ahmad upon his arrival while a guard of honor was also presented to him on the occasion.
Regarding corporate social responsibility, Dr Ashfaq Ahmad said that during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the FBR has ensured oxygen supply for critical patients in major hospitals and health facilities across the country.
The FBR chairman disclosed that the Pakistan Single Window System will be made functional in the coming few weeks, which is a step toward the data ecosystem. He added improvement has been brought in the risk management system.
Dr Ashfaq praised the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan for fulfilling all needs and resources as per demands that was ensuring smooth functioning of all areas and operations.
He disclosed that more than 1000 young soldiers will be recruited very shortly.
Highlighting the geographical importance of the region, the FBR chairman said a state of the art Customs houses have been established at Chaman and Torkham border while similar facilities would soon be available to other border regions.
Member Customs Operation, Tahir Huda in his keynote address said the Pakistan Customs had played a vital role with assistance of Law enforcement agencies to counter illegal trade/smuggling and have made a massive contribution toward the national economy growth.
Tahir Huda said industries are smoothly flourishing in the country while our ultimate goal is to make the country a logistic/trade hub by facilitating at CPEC along with all other seaport and land ports.
He vowed that they will continue to play a role toward economic prosperity, development through trade/business facilitation.
Earlier, Chief Collector Customs, Raza Ahmad Khan on the occasion highlighted the significance of commemorating the International Customs Day, operations, achievements, advancement in Customs procedures, measures for trade facilitation, countering illicit trade/smuggling, seizing of narcotics, introduction of ecosystem.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022