President Alvi stresses increased tax collection to end financial woes

LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi said there is a need to ensure strictness against tax evasion and tax collecting authorities must create easiness for taxpayers.

Addressing a public awareness seminar at the Governor’s House, the president said that Pakistan must enhance its tax collection and the tax-to-GDP ratio in order to overcome its perennial financial woes and end its undue reliance on foreign aid.

President Alvi said it is essential to create awareness among people regarding the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) initiatives. He urged the need to facilitate tax-payers by dispensing speedy and cost-effective justice to aggrieved taxpayers against the maladministration of tax officials.

He said adopting of people-friendly attitude and open-door policy by tax officials would encourage more people to voluntarily become part of the tax net. He said that there was a need to understand the spirit of giving tax in accordance with Islamic teachings.

He said Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process is adopted internationally to help resolve disputes without a trial. He appreciated FTO Asif Mahmood Jah for following ADR for quick redressal of complaints.

He emphasized on educating people to choose the right way for redressing their complaints. He said that women ombudsperson would redress the complaint of any woman if she had a complaint regarding illegal occupation on her property.

The president said the country has a lot of potential to overcome all challenges. He stressed upon the need to follow the sacred and glorious teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in letter and spirit to establish a welfare state.

On this occasion, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman appreciated the role of the FTO. He also lauded the country’s business community which always stood with people in difficult times and carry out philanthropist work wholeheartedly.

He said tax payment is a national responsibility of every citizen. The governor added that the Federal Board of Revenue should ensure transparency besides dealing taxpayers in a friendly way.

Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Asif Mahmood Jah said the FTO has become a public relief-oriented department.

He said outreach mechanism had been made easier so that maximum number of people could benefit from the FTO’s services. He said a special overseas Pakistanis grievances cell had been set up to resolve complaints of expats.

Later, President Dr Arif Alvi also gave away cheques of refunded amount to Suzuki car buyers who had been benefited due to reduce tax rate from 17 to 12 percent.

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