Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishq Dar here Saturday met a delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association, APNS and CPNE. The delegation comprised, among others Hameed Haroon, Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami, Rehmat Ali Razi, Arshad Zuberi, Jamil Ather, Mir Ibrahim ur Rehman, Dr Basit Riaz Sheikh, Bilal Lakhani and Naveed Kashif. The delegation discussed with the Finance Minister, matters regarding imposition of withholding tax on print and electronic media advertising as announced in the budget for the fiscal year 2015-16.
The Minister on the occasion drew attention of the delegation to the challenges faced by the government in broadening and deepening the tax base. He stated that the government had a resolve for bringing the uncovered sectors of economy into the tax net and increasing the burden of tax on non-filers.
The Finance Minister on this occasion appreciated the PBA's, APNS' and CPNE's pledge for cooperation to bring non-filers in the media into the tax net. He said if the large undeclared chunk of advertising business could be taxed, it would greatly help build up the national revenue. The delegation appreciated efforts of the government aimed at strengthening the economy and generating revenue and assured of their full support. The meeting was attended by Chairman FBR, Tariq Bajwa, senior FBR and Finance Ministry Officials.