ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday highlighted that 43 percent of the sectors in Pakistan’s economy pay less than one percent of the total tax collected, urging wholesalers, distributors and retailers to improve their contributions.
Pakistan’s narrow tax base and persistent tax evasion issues lead to insufficient revenue collection for the country’s fragile economy each year. The shortfall exacerbates the government’s tendency to run a high fiscal deficit, often financed through domestic and international borrowing, which increases the nation’s debt burden.
The country’s top tax collection body, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), collected Rs1.455 trillion ($5.2 billion) in July-August against the projected target of Rs1.554 trillion ($5.6 billion), according to provisional figures compiled officially over the weekend.
“43 percent sectors of this economy pay less than one percent tax so we have to make a collective effort and request these sectors to contribute otherwise we will keep going to the IMF [International Monetary Fund] for more [loans],” the finance minister said.
“Wholesalers, distributors, retailers we request you again to make a move to contribute to the country’s economy,” he continued. “We request them to help us.”
The minister made it clear the tax imposed on these sectors would not be withdrawn, pointing out that such a step would create more problems for the salaried class and manufacturing sector.
Pakistan has set a challenging tax revenue target of Rs13 trillion ($46.66 billion) for the current fiscal year, nearly a 40 percent increase from the previous year, to strengthen its case for a new bailout deal with the IMF.
The South Asian nation’s new administration has also decided to digitalize the tax collection system to prevent leakages, even as a large segment of the national economy remains undocumented.
Aurangzeb highlighted his commitment to cutting down the size of the federal government, adding that a method was being followed in which six ministries were initially chosen, of which two would be abolished.
However, he did not specify which ministries he was referring to.
“There will also be a reduction in the number of officers from grade 17 to 22,” he added. “We are closing the entities and departments that can be shut down.”
The minister said once the implementation of “rightsizing” the initial ministries was completed, the government would address the next five ministries and continue the process.
He also mentioned that remittances had remained at an all-time high in recent months, and highlighted that rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s had also upgraded Pakistan’s ranking by one notch.
Pakistan’s finance minister says 43 percent economic sectors contribute less than one percent tax
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Pakistan’s finance minister says 43 percent economic sectors contribute less than one percent tax
- Muhammad Aurangzeb urges wholesalers, distributors and retailers to improve their tax contributions
- Pakistan’s tax collection body generated $5.2 billion in July-August, falling short of its $5.6 billion target
Pakistan’s finmin discusses financial cooperation with Saudi National Bank chairman in Davos
- Muhammad Aurangzeb meets SNB chairman at sidelines of World Economic Forum summit in Davos
- Pakistan’s finmin meets Egypt’s planning minister, discusses ongoing projects between two countries
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met Saudi National Bank Chairman Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Ghamdi on Tuesday to discuss financial cooperation and strengthening banking sector partnerships between the two countries, Pakistan’s finance ministry said.
The meeting between the two officials took place during the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, which will be held till Jan. 24 under the theme: ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and economic allies, with both countries signing 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion in October 2024.
“The two leaders discussed potential financial cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly focusing on strengthening partnerships in the banking sector,” the finance ministry said in a statement.
Aurangzeb briefed Ghamdi about Pakistan’s economic progress and the improvements made by the South Asian nation in its international financial rankings.
“Both sides expressed their commitment to further deepen economic ties for mutual benefit,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Export-Import Bank and Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah also signed a $15 million financing agreement, strengthening access to Pakistani markets and boosting trade and economic ties.
Separately, Aurangzeb also met Egyptian Minister of Planning, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat at the sidelines of the summit. The two ministers discussed ongoing programs and projects between Pakistan and Egypt, the finance ministry said.
“The two ministers agreed to continue discussions on economy and finance and learn from each other’s experiences,” the statement said.
Saudi EXIM Bank signs $15m deal with Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah to boost trade
- Agreement designed to enhance Kingdom’s exporters access to Pakistani markets
- In October, businesses from both countries signed agreements worth $2.8 billion
RIYADH: The Saudi Export-Import Bank and Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah have inked a $15 million financing agreement, designed to enhance Kingdom’s exporters access to Pakistani markets and foster stronger trade and economic ties.
The new credit line deal seeks to increase the flow and competitiveness of the Kingdom’s non-oil exports as well as unveil new trade horizons between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This falls in line with Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with the Kingdom, with the Saudi government reaffirming its commitment in September to fast-track a $5 billion investment package for the Asian country.
This also aligns with Saudi EXIM’s goal of diversifying the Kingdom’s economy by offering financing and insurance products for non-oil exports in support of Vision 2030.
“The agreement comes within the bank’s efforts to strengthen strategic relations with international banks and financial institutions to provide financing solutions that contribute to the development of Saudi non-oil exports and enhance their competitiveness in Pakistani markets, by encouraging importers from Pakistan to import Saudi products and services, which opens up broad prospects for the development of trade and investment between the two countries, and creates more promising trade and investment opportunities,” said General Director of the Finance Department at Saudi EXIM Bank Abdul Latif bin Saud Al-Ghaith.
The Group Head of Corporate, Investment Banking, and International Business at Bank Alfalah, Farooq Ahmed Khan, said: “The agreement between Saudi EXIM Bank and Bank Alfalah Ltd. is a milestone in strengthening trade relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan.”
He added: “The financing line will enable Pakistani companies to access high-quality products in the Kingdom and will also enhance the volume of trade exchange between the two countries.
“We at Bank Alfalah are proud to play a pivotal role in promoting trade and investment opportunities that are in line with the shared vision to strengthen and grow the economies of both countries.”
In October, Saudi businessmen expressed hope for successful collaborations in Pakistan, saying the country’s economic stability and improved regulatory framework had made it an attractive investment destination, following the signing of over two dozen deals between companies from both nations.
Pakistan condoles loss of lives as Turkiye ski resort fire kills 66
- Fire erupted overnight in hotel of Turkiye’s Kartalkaya ski resort
- Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkiye, says foreign office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Tuesday condoled over the loss of lives caused by a deadly fire at a ski resort in Turkiye that killed at least 66 people and wounded over 50 others.
The blaze erupted overnight in the restaurant of the hotel in the famous Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu province on Monday.
Television footage showed the roof and upper floors of the building engulfed in flames as witnesses and reports indicated that the hotel’s fire detection system had failed to activate.
As per reports, 234 guests were staying at the hotel when it caught fire.
“The government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened by the devastating fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu, Türkiye this morning,” the foreign office said.
“Pakistan extends its heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye, particularly to the families who have lost their loved ones.”
The foreign office said Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkiye, reaffirming its solidarity with the nation.
According to the state-owned Anadolu Agency, Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said four people, including the business owner, were detained over the fire incident.
He said six public prosecutors were assigned to the probe, adding that a team of experts were looking into the cause of the fire.
Kartalkaya, which lies about 295 kilometers east of Istanbul, is one of Turkiye’s premier winter tourism destinations that attracts thousands of visitors every winter.
Pakistan contacting UAE to extradite real estate tycoon accused of graft— state media
- State media alleges Malik Riaz Hussain has illegally occupied lands owned by state, private persons
- Hussain, who is co-accused in land graft case involving former PM Imran Khan, denies wrongdoing
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government is reaching out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to extradite real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, the co-accused and proclaimed offender in a land graft case involving former prime minister Imran Khan, on charges of building housing societies on lands he does not legally own, state-run media reported on Tuesday.
Hussain, currently residing in the UAE, is one of Pakistan’s richest and most powerful businessmen and biggest private employers. He is known for being the chairman of Bahria Town Limited, which calls itself Asia’s largest private estate developer.
The development takes place after a Pakistani court last Friday sentenced Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife, Bushra Khan, to seven years in jail. Both were accused of receiving land as a gift from Hussain during Khan’s premiership from 2018 to 2022 in exchange for illegal favors.
Khan says he and his wife were merely trustees and did not benefit from the land transaction. Hussain has also denied being involved in any wrongdoing related to the case.
“The Government of Pakistan is reaching out to the Government of United Arab Emirates for the extradition of Malik Riaz through legal channels,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
Radio Pakistan said Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog is conducting an inquiry against Hussain and his accomplices for fraud, deceptive practices and cheating the public at large.
It said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has credible information that Hussain and his accomplices not only illegally possessed and occupied state-owned land but also land belonging to private persons in Karachi, Takht Parri, Rawalpindi and New Murree areas.
The state broadcaster said Hussain is developing housing societies on these lands
without obtaining regulatory permissions, accusing him of committing fraud against the state and public amounting to billions of rupees.
It mentioned that Riaz has recently launched a project to construct luxury apartments in Dubai, warning the public against investing in it.
“The general public at large is hereby advised and warned to refrain from investing in the stated project,” it said.
“If the general public at large invests in the stated project, their actions would tantamount to money laundering, for which they may face criminal and legal proceedings.”
Hussain has not responded to the latest allegations against him. However, in May 2024, the real estate tycoon took to social media platform X to condemn a raid by NAB at his company’s offices in Pakistan.
Hussain vowed not to give in to “bullying.” The post, however, was a cryptic one as the real estate developer did not state specifically who was pressurizing him.
Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks
- Loans are short-term with 6 to 7 percent interest rate, says Muhammad Aurangzeb
- Pakistan aims to boost finances after securing $7 billion IMF bailout in September
DAVOS, Switzerland: Pakistan has agreed terms for a $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks at a 6%-7% interest rate, its Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters on Tuesday, as the South Asian country looks for more financing.
“With two institutions we have now gone forward in signing up the term sheet — one bilateral and one for trade (finance),” Aurangzeb said during an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
The loans were short-term — or up to one year, Aurangzeb added.
Pakistan aims to boost its finances after securing a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout in September 2024, with the first review set for late February.
“We have the first formal review of the EFF coming through toward (the) end of February,” Aurangzeb said. “I do think we are in good stead for that review.”
IMF extended fund facilities (EFFs) provide financial assistance to countries facing serious medium-term balance of payments problems resulting from structural weaknesses that require time to address.
