The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) expressed its profound gratitude to the Chief Minister, Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif for withdrawal of the General Sales Tax imposed on the advertisements of newspapers and periodicals in Punjab on the request of the APNS.
The APNS has stated that during a meeting with Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister, Punjab was apprised of the disastrous impact of GST imposed by the Punjab Revenue Board vide Notification No SO(Tax)1-9/2011 dated October 06, 2012. The Chief Minister was also apprised that the Punjab was the only province that has extended the GST regime to the newspapers and periodicals which has badly affected the revenue sources of the crisis-ridden newspaper industry. The Chief Minister, Punjab, on the APNS request, has very kindly announced the exemption of newspapers and periodicals from the GST in the province of Punjab. The Notification to the effect is being issued shortly.-PR