PM Abbasi dares tax amnesty critics to reveal own filings

–Says Pakistan’s economy will flourish immensely after tax reform ‘and we won’t have to look at others for support’

–Repeats horse-trading allegations against Senate chairman, deputy chairman, says masses will decide their fate

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday said the people opposing the government’s newly introduced amnesty scheme and tax reforms should reveal their own tax filings first, taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

The PTI chief on Friday rejected the government’s new amnesty scheme allowing Pakistanis to remit offshore wealth at only two per cent tax rate. Khan termed the amnesty scheme a brazen attempt by Prime Minister Abbasi to save criminals.

“Why would PM seek to do this just 45 days before government term ends? And why just two weeks before budget? This is a tax on honest people – a slap on the face of honest taxpayers,” Khan had tweeted.

Speaking at an inaugural event in Balochistan’s Kharan district, Abbasi sought to explain the significance of the scheme.

“A historic step was taken on Thursday in the form of the tax reform,” he said. “The aim of this scheme is to unite everyone to jointly pay taxes which are possible for everyone.”

Abbasi said that it is a monumental change as the tax rate of the country has never been reduced to half of what it was. “If tax is 36 per cent, people are unable to pay it, creating a divide, with a reduction, everyone will be liable for taxes, and the aim of the reform will be fulfilled,” he said, adding that it is the citizens responsibility to give back to the country in the form of tax.

“Pakistan’s economy will flourish immensely, and we won’t have to look at others for support,” he added, hinting towards the United States threats of cutting foreign aid and assistance.

“People of Kharan are forced to pay on behalf of those who don’t pay taxes,” the premier said. “If an individual is earning in lakhs or more, and doesn’t pay tax, the burden of it falls on the poor,” he explained. Expressing anger, Abbasi then said, “What politics will those do? How will they serve you if they’re still stuck in the buying and selling of votes for the elections?”

He then went on to denounce claims made by multiple political parties over the alleged buying-selling of votes in the Senate elections.

“The July election will show PML-N bagging more seats than ever,” he added. “The decision is in your hands, and it will be made in July. The weather’s difficult so it might cause some inconvenience, but this July, we must all vote,” he said.

Abbasi said that development will not stop in Pakistan, and that ‘Nawaz Sharif’ is another name for development.

“Progress doesn’t come from false promises. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has proved that it will work towards country’s progress,” the PM said.

Earlier, Abbasi inaugurated the Khuzdar-Shahdadkot road and the Kharan-Yakmach road as part of government’s endeavour to uplift communication infrastructure in Balochistan.

On his arrival, the PM was received by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo along with provincial cabinet members and parliamentarians.

Khuzdar-Shahdadkot road provides a link between Balochistan and Sindh passing through Wango hills. The project would help alleviate poverty in the area by increasing trade activities.

Khuzdar-Shahdadkot road is part of M-8, the Gwadar-Ratodero Motorway which connects the country’s eastern and western regions. The cargo transport moving from Gwadar to Sindh would be able to use this road that would be completed at cost of around Rs 15 billion.

Situated in a far-flung area of the province, the 200-kilometre Kaharan-Yakmach section connects three important districts of Chaghi, Washuk and Kharan. This is the closest link with Iranian border via N-25 and the project would reduce the distance by 250 kilometres.

The project would accelerate the economic activity in the mineral-rich districts as it would ease the transportation of the minerals from Chaghi to Karachi particularly from Reko Diq. Moreover, it would also provide an alternate and short route for transportation of good between Karachi and Iranian border instead of existing longer route of N-25.

The two-lane Kharan-Yakmach road had been divided into four sections to connect with Kharan via Shahi Garhi, Shahpur, Wadh and Dostain. The project comprises two bridges and 1067 culverts.

After its completion, the highway could be used by 3,000 vehicles daily with a set speed of 90 kilometres per hour. Around one million population inhabiting in Basima, Kharan, Yakmach, Nok Kundi, Taftan and Noshki would benefit from the project.