‘Taxes paid by responsible citizens are vital investments’

LAHORE: Parliamentary Secretary for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Shehryar Malik has said that taxes paid by responsible citizens are not merely financial contributions but vital investments that enable the Government of Punjab to implement key public welfare initiatives such as Apni Chhat Apna Ghar, the Kissan Card, health clinics, and environmentally friendly transport projects. These initiatives, he added, are playing a crucial role in steering Punjab towards inclusive and sustainable development.

While addressing an awards ceremony to honour the best taxpayers for the Financial Year 2024–25 organized by the Excise, Taxation and Anti-Narcotics Department Punjab here in a local hotel, he said that the share of the Excise Department in provincial tax revenue had historically been relatively low; however, due to comprehensive reforms introduced in recent years, excise levies have increased from Rs. 40 billion to Rs. 70 billion over the past three years—an achievement he attributed to the cooperation and trust of taxpayers.

Shehryar Malik paid rich tribute to the top taxpayers for their exemplary sense of civic responsibility.

The Parliamentary Secretary also appreciated the performance of the Excise and Taxation Department for adopting a taxpayer-friendly approach by honouring compliant citizens, strengthening public trust, and promoting awareness that tax payment is a collective responsibility towards the state. He noted that as this awareness continues to grow, negative attitudes towards tax compliance are gradually changing, resulting in a consistent increase in tax revenues.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Excise and Taxation Umar Sher Chatha informed the participants that revenue collected through property tax is transferred to municipal committees and utilized for providing essential municipal services, while motor vehicle tax is spent on road construction, maintenance, and road safety measures.

He further stated that during Financial Year 2024–25, the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department not only successfully achieved its assigned targets but has entered the current fiscal year with even more ambitious and improved goals. DG Umar Sher Chatha added that the transition of property tax assessment from rental value to capital value has brought transparency, uniformity, and fairness into the system, significantly enhancing taxpayers’ confidence. He also shared that following property tax reforms, the motor vehicle tax system is being modernized on contemporary lines to further facilitate taxpayers. All reforms, he emphasized, are being introduced after extensive consultation with traders, industrialists, and other stakeholders.

President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), while lauding the reforms undertaken by the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department Punjab, remarked that the country’s core challenge is not economics but ethics. He stated that when tax departments treat taxpayers with dignity instead of harassment, voluntary tax compliance naturally improves. He further observed that if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) adopts a similar respectful and facilitative approach, it could significantly exceed its revenue targets.

Renowned motivational speaker Qasim Ali Shah, along with Iftikhar Ali Thakar and Ainee Tara, captivated the audience through their speeches and performances, inspiring participants to recognize their responsibilities towards the state and to fulfill their tax obligations with a sense of purpose.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of Punjab’s top taxpayers—the true guests of honour of the event—along with prominent industrialists, traders, artists, and media representatives. Award recipients included representatives from Nishat Hotel and Enterprises, DHA Raya, Awara Express, Serena Hotel, Pak Line Ravi, Attock Oil Refinery, University of Lahore, Savoy Hotel, Habib Bank Limited, and Master Textile Mills.

In his concluding remarks, Secretary Excise and Taxation Punjab, Masood Mukhtar, thanked all participants for their presence and acknowledged their valuable contributions towards enhancing tax revenues. An honorary souvenir was also presented to the President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025