LAHORE: Expert have voiced a unanimous opinion that tax reforms, coupled with increased fiscal powers for provinces will significantly improve revenue collection by the country.
Sharing their views at a public-private dialogue held to discuss pre-budget proposals and business regulations, they stressed that sales tax should be collected by the provinces instead of federal agencies.
Former Sindh finance minister Asad Ali Shah emphasised the need for reexamining the entire tax structure of Pakistan. “We should focus on digital solutions to steer transparency in budget-making,” he said.
“Besides, Pakistan also needs to work on improvement in skills development, education and health sectors.”
The government should make efforts to ensure ease of doing business by reducing costs for businessmen, he said, adding that the nation needed to invest in skills development at provincial levels.