Finance Minister Punjab Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that stability in national economy is directly linked to the growth rate of the provinces. Increase in resources of provinces is the joint responsibility of the government and the citizens can fulfill this responsibility by paying taxes, she said.
She expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled ‘Smart Tax Administration and Development’ held under the aegis of Punjab Revenue Authority at 90-Shahrah Quaid-e-Azam on Saturday.
Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said that the finance department of Punjab is launching a web page for redressal of complaints of taxpayers and monitoring of the government institutions dealing with tax collection, adding that the page would be checked on a daily basis.
She said that the purpose of observing Tax Day is to make the taxpayers realise the importance of the money paid in taxes. The minister said that the provincial government is committed to improving tax collection system, adding that the Punjab chief minister has decided to mark April 10 as Tax Day every year.
Addressing the inaugural session of the seminar, Punjab Chief Secretary Capt (r.) Zahid Saeed said that the provincial government is taking practical steps for the improvement and transparency in tax collection system, adding that the seminar would help develop consensus on the tax policy.
He said that there is a need to enhance cooperation among provinces and federal government for improving taxation. He mentioned that the tax policy conference should be held every year as the suggestions of stakeholders will give guidance to the government.
The chief secretary said that the Punjab government is especially focusing on improvement in tax system as taxation is part of the bigger growth agenda of the government.
Punjab Revenue Authority Chairman Dr Raheel Siddiqui said: “Taxpayers are our pride and their trust is our asset.” Speakers Dr Hafeez Pasha, Dr Pervaiz Hassan, Ben French, Raol Flex, Almas Haider and Mujeeb Ur Rehman Shami lauded the efforts of Punjab government for introducing modern tax system and observing Tax Day in the province.
