Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht has said that Government of Punjab's new tax reforms will raise the confidence of the masses in their government. The circle of accountability will not merely be extended to those who don't pay tax but the government will also be answerable for judicious utilization of public money. Progressive system of tax collection will automatically urge the business community to pay their taxes. Nobody will be charged unjust tax, he assured.
He expressed these views while addressing the Completion ceremony of the 4th Internship Program of Punjab Revenue Authority here on Friday. He said Youth is indeed our real strength in New Pakistan. The interns who have completed their internship in PRA will be able to convince their communities that paying tax is their moral duty. They will play the role of true ambassadors for the government of Punjab. Youth is the "Hope" of progressive Pakistan he added.
The Minister appreciated Punjab Revenue Authority for taking lead over many other organizations in introducing such a fruitful internship programs which are not only necessary for the development of trained workforce but also for promotion of a soft image of the tax collecting agencies as majority of the public somehow get frightened by tax collecting agencies and avoid paying their due taxes. He said the PTI Government is going to strengthening the institutions for a stronger Pakistan.
Chairman Punjab revenue Raheel Ahmed Siddiqi, in his address said that the Internship Program has been a part of PRA's Youth Engagement Program since last year and ever since PRA has been conducting one batch each for Junior and Senior students. However this year two different batches for both Junior & Senior Internship Programs have been initiated due to the overwhelming response and inflow of numerous applications from different private & government institutions and also from other provinces. PRA being a tax collecting authority has always tried to find new ways to spread tax awareness amongst the general public and one of our most successful measures has been the Internship Program, as these youngsters represent the future of the country and are PRA's "Tax Ambassadors".
Member operations Javed Ahmed also addressed the ceremony and announced cash gift of 20 and 16 thousands rupees for first and second position holders of Documentary competition during the course. Certificates were also distributed among the graduates by the Minister.