ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to formally take on board all political parties on the controversial reformed general sales tax (GST) before the start of the National Assembly session on December 20, and the Finance Ministry has been directed to prepare a detailed briefing to heads of all political parties on the proposed tax.
A source said Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had taken notice of the statements of some opposition leaders after Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh briefed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on the issue in Lahore last week.
The source said the prime minister had directed the Finance Ministry to finalise a detailed briefing on the GST for the heads of coalition, as well as opposition parties. Another source said the prime minister was unhappy with a majority of his ministers who appeared apologetic and were reluctant to defend the GST in the print and electronic media.
The source quoted the finance minister as saying, “The opposition leaders are coming hard on GST supporters and the media is making the government’s case difficult.”
The source said the prime minister wanted his team to be well prepared on various points being raised by the opposition. The prime minister has also directed the Finance Ministry to hold a special
briefing for members of the federal and provincial cabinets.
“The provincial cabinets are also important in this matter as the GST on services will not only be implemented by provincial governments, but the provincial assemblies will also have to get the GST bill on services passed,” the source added.
