RGST unacceptable, says Shahbaz

PUNJAB Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has declared that under the circumstances, imposition of Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) will not be allowed. We dont have any objection on imposing taxes, but in the current scenario when people are facing inflation and rulers have failed to control their lavish expenditure, taxes being slapped on the orders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are not acceptable. Talking to a private TV channel on Friday, Shahbaz said that the nation was facing massive corruption, massive mismanagement and bad governance, and under the current scenario We cant back any such step. Responding to a query, the CM said that corruption in every department including rental power projects had been exposed. Staff Reporter from Lahore adds: Shahbaz Sharif on Friday claimed that sugar would be available at Rs 72 per kg by Saturday evening in the open markets across the province. He further said that the Punjab government would lift 150,000 tons of sugar from Karachi Port and arrangements had been finalised to bring the white sweetener to Punjab in order to ensure its supply to various parts of the province. He stated this while presiding over a high-level meeting here. The meeting was held to review arrangements for sugar supply at reasonable rates to the people of the Punjab, an official handout said. MNA Afzal Khokhar, MPA Zaeem Qadri, Dr Saeed Elahi, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner Lahore Division were also present on this occasion. Matters regarding lifting of sugar from Karachi Port, its supply to different parts of the province and price trend of sugar in the market were also discussed in detail during the meeting. On this occasion, the CM also said that provision of sugar to the people at Rs 72 per kg should be ensured by Saturday evening and strict action would be taken against those indulging in overcharging and black-marketing. He said that hoarding of sugar would not be tolerated and warned such elements to immediately bring their stocks in the market to earn a good name. He appreciated the measures taken by Food Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor and Secretary Food Irfan Elahi to lift sugar from Karachi. He directed the Chief Secretary to evolve a strategy to ensure supply and sale of sugar at the price fixed by the government and Divisional Commissioners should also be issued instructions in this regard. Earlier, the Chief Secretary while giving a detailed briefing on sugar supply from Karachi and its market prices, said that price of sugar is coming down in the open market and the sugar rates would further decrease as the sugar would arrive in the province from Karachi. He said that sugar would be provided to the people at Rs 72 per kg. He said Punjab had taken the lead in lifting sugar from Karachi and Food Minister and Secretary Food are in Karachi for this purpose.