PEW supports FBR reforms

Islamabad: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) Chairman Brig. Muhammad Aslam Khan (Retd) on Sunday supported reforms in the FBR terming it a positive step which will infuse confidence in the business community.
The decision to limit the role of FBR to tax collection and entrusting policymaking to Tax Policy Board is a major step in the right direction which will lessen the complaints of the taxpayers, he said.
In a statement issued here today, he said that limiting the role of tax administration was demanded by the business community which will improve the situation and reduces dependence on foreign loans.
The decision is a larger shift in the governance of the tax administration which is opposite to what the former government did that augmented the sufferings of masses, he added.
Brig. Muhammad Aslam Khan said that FBR is pushing the policy of regressive taxation as it continues to collect 82 percent taxes from masses while the ratio of direct taxation is only 18 percent which is fanning poverty.
He hoped that the Tax Policy Board will improve the taxation system to ensure equal distribution of wealth which will provide relief to masses and help expand the tax net.