APBF proposals underscore need for liberal investment policy

The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has proposed the budget makers to reduce tax rates with a view to widen the tax base and curtail parallel economy, also providing a competitive edge to Pakistan's products in global markets. APBF President Ibrahim Qureshi said that the Forum has submitted comprehensive sector specific budget proposals for the upcoming federal budget to bring liberal investment policy, infrastructure development, broadening of tax base and creating jobs through industrialization.
The budget proposals were compiled in an unbiased and transparent manner, incorporating feedback received from business community on hosts of sectors from all over the country. He pointed out that out of more than four million national tax number holders (NTN), the tax filers were 2.1 million in 2006-07, which fell to 1.39 million in 2017, which shows that the FBR has lost one million return filers over the last 10 years. APBF budget proposals cover recommendations, including proposals to incentivize investors, broaden tax net through documentation of economy, simplify tax system and reorganize FBR and many industry specific proposals, he said.
APBF concerned over excessively burdening the manufacturing sector that contributed 21 percent to the economy, having a share of 70 percent in tax payments. He said the proposed a comprehensive action plan for the broadening of tax base and improving the tax-to-GDP ratio. He said that promoting foreign direct investment, increasing the share of direct taxes and slashing the slab of indirect levies topped the proposals presented by the All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) for the federal budget 2018-19. The forum, in its budget proposals, also suggested that the sales tax slab should immediately be curtailed in order to reduce cost of production and inflationary pressures. The proposals urged the government to reduce sales tax to single digit and also cut corporate tax to make the upcoming budget business-friendly.
Qureshi said that only political will and drastic steps can revive the economy, which should be grown significantly and constantly for visible impact. A significant portion of the total budget should be allocated for hydro power projects, he stressed. Reliance on costly thermal power has been jacking up the cost of production and the import bill as well. With a view to tackle the energy shortages, maximum funds should be allocated for construction of dams or water reservoirs and tapping of Thar Coal. The country is in dire need of an urgent shift in its energy-mix in favour of Hydro power and local fuels, he added.
The APBF has given very detailed proposals for broadening tax base and identifying new potential taxpayers. It recommends that all income earners should pay taxes equitably, including on income from agriculture related activities and all kinds of government and banks saving schemes. All income earners without exception of any sector should be registered with national tax number (NTN). Tax authorities should ensure all NTN holders file annual income tax/wealth returns and wealth reconciliation statements. The government should avoid announcing amnesty schemes to encourage the honest taxpayers, he said..-PR