KP Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) President Zulfiqar Ali Khan has slammed the government's decision to impose new taxes of 40 billion rupees from next month. He said this decision would directly affect the masses. He urged the government to withdraw this decision without any delay. In a press statement issued here on Friday, KPCCI chief said that due to IMF pressure, government has decided to impose new taxes of 40 billion rupees to achieve projected revenue target of 3104 billion rupees.
He said in the civilised countries, there are neither taxes nor any duties on electricity, petrol, water, flour, pulse, meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, and public transport items because such taxation is directly or indirectly affect the poor people. He further said that government has imposed regulatory duties on more than 313 items, which would have attempt to gain the estimated revenue target, during seven months (December 2015 to June 2016). He said it is ironical that the government is imposing taxes on food commodities, like potato, tomato, guava, apple, mango, pomegranate, and other food basket. Zulfiqar Ali said the mini budget will increase inflation.