LAHORE - Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that stability in national economy is directly linked to the growth rate of provinces. Increase in resources of provinces is joint responsibility of the government and people while citizens can fulfill this responsibility by paying taxes.
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 here on Saturday. Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said that the Punjab Finance Department is launching a web page for redress of complaints of taxpayers and monitoring of government institutions dealing in tax collection. This page would be checked on daily basis, she added. She said that observing Tax Day is a welcome step of Punjab government, adding that this would make taxpayers realize the importance of their money paid in taxes. The minister said that the provincial government is committed to improving tax collection system. She said that the Chief Minister Punjab has decided to mark April 10 as Tax Day every year.
Addressing the inaugural session of the seminar, Chief Secretary Punjab Capt (Retd) Zahid Saeed said that the provincial government is taking practical steps for improvement and transparency in tax collection system. He said that the seminar would help develop consensus on tax policy. He said that there is need to enhance cooperation among provinces and federal government for improving taxation. He mentioned that Tax Policy Conference should be held every year as it will help get guidance from the suggestions of stakeholders. The Chief Secretary said that the Punjab government is particularly focusing on improvement in tax system as taxation is part of 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.