Government is not imposing new tax on motor cab rickshaw : Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha

Lahore : Provincial Minister for Finance, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has dispelled the impression that the government is imposing new tax on motor cab rickshaw or increasing tax rate. On the contrary, she said, optional scheme is being introduced for rickshaw owners in the budget 2016-17 under which they can pay lifetime token tax of 3000 rupees.

She was talking to mediamen at the conclusion of assembly session. Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said that the purpose of levying tax on vacant plots is to discourage non productive investment and to motivate landowners to invest in business and industrial sector so that unemployment problem could be resolved. She also refuted the allegation that Punjab government is increasing burden of taxes on the common man and said that poor people neither purchase imported vehicles nor plots. She said that government has not imposed tax on five marla plots nor will recover tax on the plots on which construction work is started within two years of purchase. She said that under Punjab Revenue Authority, tax has been imposed on three new services including cosmetics, plastic surgery and hair transplant, which are not the requirement of the common people.

Earlier, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adams met Ayesha Ghaus Pasha in Punjab Assembly and congratulated her on presenting a balanced budget. She also expressed interest in working with Punjab government in agriculture especially livestock and dairy development sectors. She appreciated the vision of Chief Minister Punjab to associate women with livestock and dairy development sector and offered cooperation in this regard.

Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said that Punjab is the most important province of Pakistan with regard to national economy. She said that economy of the country depends upon agriculture but unfortunately, it was facing different problems including recession in international market, climate change and weak policies. She said that the present government has taken revolutionary measures for development of agriculture sector and ensuring access to international market. She said that efforts are also being made to promote research and solve problems of cultivators.

The Minister also thanked Australian High Commissioner for her offer of cooperation.