In what appears to be criticism for his own government, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said the manner in which Pakistan is being run, cannot lead to progress and the country will face severe financial difficulties if steps are not taken to enhance the tax revenue.
According to The News, the premier on Wednesday took the top hierarchy of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) into confidence over the proposed reforms plan for converting it into the Pakistan Revenue Authority (PRA) and assured them that no action plan would be implemented without consultations.
PM Imran urged the officers to speak out and said that people will be eager to pay tax if they are assured that their money will be spent on public welfare instead of lavish lifestyle of rulers.
He said currently, the government has no money to spend on masses as it inherited record deficit and instructed the FBR officials to take measures to restore the confidence of the business community by addressing its grievances regarding the tax machinery.
The premier said that the collection of Rs8 trillion tax was not difficult if all stakeholders considered it their national responsibility and the country could not run on the old pattern as his government had inherited the biggest financial deficit and current account deficit.
“Half of the tax collection in the first year was spent on debt servicing,” he said and added that Pakistan had huge potential in terms of its young population. “If they [the youth] are provided with opportunities, the country can progress on the path of prosperity.”
