Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr.Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has said that the incumbent government has given Rs.1400 billion on electricity subsidies in last four and half years. Addressing at the 28th Annual General Meeting and Conference organized by Pakistan Society of Development Economics here on Tuesday, Dr.Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said the government was pursuing regional balance in development focusing on Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Federally Administered Tribels Areas (FATA) where special projects have been launched to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people. He said that after 7th NFC award the provinces have been given more resources to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people as the government had provided Rs.5000 billion to the provinces which will help them to manage their affairs whereas under the changed formula of NFC, additional Rs.1000 billon were given to the province in the last two years. He said Rs. 260 billion were also distributed among 3 million poor families in the country.
“People who are not paying their due taxes will be brought under tax net and those people who are already paying their taxes are being facilitated by reducing tax burden on them,” finance minister said. He said during ongoing financial year 2012-13 the government will give special focus on expanding income tax base whereas in last two years focused was given on sales tax and had brought about many changes in the overall taxation system.
