The federal budget is based on relief; the government has stabilised the economy: Attaullah Tarar

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has said that the budget for the next financial year is based on public relief and the government has decided to provide facilities to different classes after economic stabilization.

Addressing a media briefing in Islamabad along with Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, he said that the government came to power at a time when the country’s economy was under severe pressure and economic indicators were at their lowest levels.

He said that in this difficult situation, the leadership of the PML-N supported the economy and steps were taken for economic stabilization under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Attaullah Tarar said that during the last two years, the government tried to provide relief to the people whenever financial capacity was available, and the current budget is a continuation of this policy.

He said that large-scale reforms have been made in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which aim to make the tax system transparent and effective. According to him, the chances of corruption have been reduced in the institution through recruitment on merit, digitization and automated system.

According to the Information Minister, modern technology has been used to eliminate tax evasion in various industrial sectors. He said that cameras and digital systems were implemented to monitor production and sales in sugar mills, through which tracking of each bag was possible.

He claimed that more than Rs 60 billion in tax was collected from the sugar industry alone, while leakage of about Rs 200 billion was stopped as a result of actions against illegal activities in the tobacco sector.

Attaullah Tarar said that steps are being taken to eliminate tax evasion in other industries including beverages and cement, while new tribunals have been established to resolve tax disputes.

He said that last year, Rs 800 billion was collected through enforcement measures alone, which is the result of the government’s reform policies.

The Information Minister said that relief has also been given to the salaried class and the tax slab has been reduced. According to him, the tax burden on low-income earners has been reduced while facilities have also been provided in the housing sector.

He said that Rs 90 billion has been released under the “Apna Ghar” scheme to provide housing facilities to low and middle-income earners.

Attaullah Tarar said that the government is trying to provide direct relief to the common citizen along with economic reforms.