Traders observe nationwide strike to resist govt drive to document commercial activity

[Abdullah719]

A test of the PTI government and its budget policies began on Saturday as traders all over the country answered a nationwide call to strike in protest against a drive by revenue authorities to document commercial activity in the country.

The call for the shutter-down strike was given by various traders' bodies around the country, who want the government to revoke documentation requirements introduced to better assess their tax liability and roll back taxes.

There are hundreds of trader associations in Pakistan, and millions of traders who participate in the retail sector. However, while some groups rallied hard around the strike call, there was no clarity about how big the scope of the strike actually was as the main chambers of commerce and industry, from Karachi to Lahore and other cities of Punjab, did not support the call.

Critics also said the strike is nothing more than an attempt by traders to blackmail the government into maintaining status quo and keeping the economy undocumented to avoid income taxes. On discussions on social media, citizens criticised the striking traders and accused them of evading their tax liabilities by refusing to let the government document their activities.

Karachi
Major markets of Karachi observed a shutter-down strike on the call of traders.

"The strike call was given on the basis of a host of unresolved issues, ranging from an increase in be bracket of taxable income to the mandatory procurement of national identity cards (NICs) from customers conducting transactions worth Rs5 million or above," said Atiq Mir, chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, a representative body of around 400 markets in the city.

Mir claimed that major markets in Clifton, Defence, Saddar, Tariq Road and 100 markets were deserted in response to the strike call today.

He claimed that at certain places, authorities had tried to get markets opened and allegedly also misled media about strike.

He said that he, personally, was against such strike as it results in financial losses.

"However by increasing sales tax on retail and asking traders to give record of every sale and purchase, traders have been compelled to take this drastic action."

Lahore
In Lahore, all large shopping hubs remained shut. Mall Road, Anarkali market, Shah Alam market and Bernadette road, Rehman Galliyan, Railway Road and Akbar Mandi remained shut for all business activities.

In a press conference, traders from the All Pakistan Traders' Union said that traders "from Karachi to Khyber" had answered the call to observe the strike.

"Traders have cast their referendum against the budget by observing this strike," said Naeem Mir, secretary of the All Pakistan Traders' Union.

"Mr prime minister, we want to solve traders' issues through talks. The government should sit us down with their representative to solve these issues," he said.

"If the government does not agree to our terms, then protest is the only way forward for us. We will not file our tax returns until our demands are met," he threatened.

Islamabad
A complete shutter-down strike was also observed in Islamabad after no government official contacted traders for any reconciliation effort.

Ajmal Baloch, president of All Pakistan Traders Association, said that Federal Board of Revenue and government only hold talks with chambers and avoids smaller traders.

He said 4.1 million registered traders have been ignored by government. He said, "Today's shutter-down is not only being observed by traders, in fact, it also channels the voice of consumers."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar traders are also observing a shutter-down strike against taxes and inflation.

"We have observed a historical shutter-down strike in Battagram. The strike is against inflation and proposed taxes being imposed on traders. The government is trying destroy our businesses," said Abdul Ghafar, president of Battagram's trade union.

He said inflation is now out of the control of the government and said that "the prime minister has pushed the country into an economic crisis."

Shangla Trade Union President Hamidur Rehman said that the Malakand division has been a tax-free zone since Swat became a state but the current government has decided to impose taxes here as well.

“We are already badly affected by terrorism and natural disasters and the imposition of taxes on us will be more than a disaster for us. Instead of conducting development work in our destroyed region, the government's decision of imposing taxes and inflation is beyond my understanding,” he said.

The shutter-down strike is being observed in all parts of Malakand and Hazara divisions. The strike against inflation and taxes was called by the Pakistan Trade Union.

The markets in Shangla, Battagram, Swat, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohistan and other areas of the province remained deserted.

Quetta
Traders across Balochistan observed a complete shutter-down strike against inflation and increasing taxes on the traders' community.

The trade leaders had issued a call for the strike in order to mount pressure on the government to take steps to reduce inflation and taxes. In Quetta, all shops, shopping malls and business centres remained shut during the day.

Because of the strike, roads in Quetta also wore a deserted look and the flow of traffic was thin.

The strike against inflation was also observed in other cities of Balochistan.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1493832/t...st-govt-drive-to-document-commercial-activity

 

[Abdullah719]

Won't go back on CNIC condition: FBR chairman

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi on Friday said there is no political hand behind the agitation call given by traders but vowed that the government would not compromise on enforcement of its condition regarding the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) numbers.

The top tax chief addressed a hurriedly called news conference a day before the traders would observe a shutter-down strike in major cities against the government’s decision to link sales of goods by manufacturers to seeking CNIC numbers.

He also clarified that the government has not imposed any tax on sale of wheat flour and any increase in prices is because of reasons that have nothing to do with the FBR.

“The government would not back out from two issues of CNIC condition and withdrawal of zero-rating facility for five-export oriented sectors that are agitated by traders and industrialists,” he said.

“The traders’ bodies have political affiliations but I do not see any political hand behind the agitation call by them,” Zaidi said while responding to a question. “There is no central leadership of traders, which is hampering effective negotiations with them,” he added.

He said due to introduction of fixed sales tax regime, the small-sized traders should not be worried about the CNIC condition. Only those persons can collect 17% sales tax who are registered with the FBR and these are only 47,000 people, he added.

The CNIC is the key documentation measure of imposing a condition whereby businesses need to obtain CNIC from buyers purchasing goods worth more than Rs50,000. It has been criticised by the industry at large. “The CNIC issue has been blown out of proportion to frustrate the government’s efforts to broaden the sales tax net,” said Shabbar Zaidi.

He said only 47,000 registered manufacturers would be affected by the CNIC condition and the FBR has not yet begun the process of bringing the nearly 300,000 remaining industrial consumers in sales tax system.

“Total number of industrial electricity connections is 341,000 whereas there are only 47,000 sales tax registered persons. There are more than 3.1 million commercial electricity connections, while more than 90 per cent of them are outside the tax system,” he said.

In a letter to prime minister, Shabbar Zaidi had acknowledged that the tax burden on manufacturing sector is enormous that he wants to lessen it by bringing more people in the net. Zaidi said some businessmen want to take other benefits by exploiting the CNIC condition

What is at stake for FBR

An analysis of 35 sectors by the FBR from July 2014 to March 2019 revealed that about 40% of the total sales of these sectors were to the unregistered persons, which was causing evasion of both the income tax and the sales tax.

Out of 35 sectors, more than half of the sales of 17 sectors were to the unregistered persons.

These sectors are sugar, beverages, automotive, ghee, electric goods, cement, food processing, leather products, iron and steel, plastic products, fertilizers, poultry and animal feed, paints, glass, fruit juices, cosmetics, soaps, ceramics and agriculture goods.

The FBR estimated the total sales of 35 sectors at Rs12.6 trillion and Rs5 trillion or 39.4% were to the unregistered sectors during this period. The sugar sector sales were estimated at Rs713 billion and Rs521 billion or 73% were to the unregistered persons. The gas distribution sector sales have been estimated at Rs1.8 trillion and Rs496 billion or 28% were to the unregistered entities.

Another major source of revenue leakage was the sector of beverages and aerated water. The sector’s total sales amounted to Rs803 billion and Rs438 billion or 54.5% were to the unregistered persons.

The automotive sector’s total sales were Rs571 billion and Rs405 billion or 71% were to the unregistered persons. The ghee manufacturers sold Rs458 billion worth of production and Rs352 billion or 77% were to the unregistered persons.

The electric manufactures sold Rs327 billion or 47.5% of their production to unregistered dealers. The sector’s total sales amounted to Rs690 billion. The food processing sector had Rs303 billion sales and Rs228 billion or three-fourth were to the unregistered persons, according to the FBR.

The fertilizer and pesticides manufacturers sold 79% of their production to unregistered persons amounting Rs108 billion. The poultry and animal feed sold Rs85 billion worth of production to unregistered sector that was 90% of its total sales.

The cosmetics’ total production was Rs14.2 billion and Rs12 billion or 85% was to the unregistered persons. The FBR wanted to capture this 40% untapped sales through the CNIC but the manufacturers were not cooperating.

The Member Inland Revenue Hamid Attiq Sarwar had told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that if manufacturers did not want to tell about those unregistered persons who purchased goods from them then they should not complain about the tax burden.

“The government’s hands are tied and it is not in a position to offer any concession on tax rates to five export oriented sectors or relax the CNIC condition because of the IMF programme,” he said.

Also, the FBR on Friday also transferred 503 customs officers occupying ranks of inspector, appraiser and chief appraiser who were serving on major stations.

The government has already transferred 3,150 officials of Inland revenue service of FBR.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2012248/2/

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

Let them strike. These criminals have been running amok for over 40 years now. Play by the rules or don't play. Simple.

 

[WebGuru]

Let them strike. These criminals have been running amok for over 40 years now. Play by the rules or don't play. Simple.

I don't know why but even educated posters like [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] are confusing this whole strike issue. In one thread he was criticizing govt for taxes on salaried persons and was talking about getting the real culprits in tax net but now when Govt is actually trying to get them in tax net he is criticizing this move too. If we still keep traders and businesses out of the tax net thn what choice govt have except putting more burden on salaried persons?

This new condition of CNIC was a move toward finding the real culprits.

According to numbers retail sector in Pakistan contributes towards approx 20% of GDP but total tax collection from this sector is less thn 1%

Most of the tax paying traders and businesses are working normal today because they know they are not in trouble.

One simple question for [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] do you think this strike of traders is because of increase in taxes or prices? Thn why they never done it when prices of multiple items, gas, petrols etc were going up and only doing it after seeing this new condition of CNIC to get them in tax net? Because CNIC is going to be the new NTN number

Here are some letter that are sent to the dealers from companies that these companies will only give them the stock if they are filers and if they are non filers thn their CNIC will be used to document the transaction and that means they will endup in tax net.

 

[Syed1]

Only a few markets are closed, majority are still open. Flop protest.


In any case they will come back to open their shops otherwise they won't be able to feed their families.

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

I don't know why but even educated posters like [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] are confusing this whole strike issue. In one thread he was criticizing govt for taxes on salaried persons and was talking about getting the real culprits in tax net but now when Govt is actually trying to get them in tax net he is criticizing this move too. If we still keep traders and businesses out of the tax net thn what choice govt have except putting more burden on salaried persons?

This new condition of CNIC was a move toward finding the real culprits.

According to numbers retail sector in Pakistan contributes towards approx 20% of GDP but total tax collection from this sector is less thn 1%

Most of the tax paying traders and businesses are working normal today because they know they are not in trouble.

One simple question for [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] do you think this strike of traders is because of increase in taxes or prices? Thn why they never done it when prices of multiple items, gas, petrols etc were going up and only doing it after seeing this new condition of CNIC to get them in tax net? Because CNIC is going to be the new NTN number

Here are some letter that are sent to the dealers from companies that these companies will only give them the stock if they are filers and if they are non filers thn their CNIC will be used to document the transaction and that means they will endup in tax net.

There is nothing educated about mamoon. He's a cultureless illiterate who only knows English. Don't confuse large English paragraphs for intelligence.

 

[Syed1]

Hate it when Urdu and English are mixed especially when there exist perfectly good words in Urdu for those English words used.


The Urdu of new gen of Pakistanis absolutely sucks. Makes me so angry.

 

[WebGuru]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">تاجر ایک دن ہڑتال کریں یا ایک ماہ۔ حقیقی آمدن ڈیکلیئر کرنی ہو گی، اور اس پر ٹیکس دینا ہو گا۔ ٹیکس نہیں دینا تو کاروبار بند کر دیں۔ حکومتیں تاجر مافیا کے ہاتھوں بہت بلیک میل ہو چکیں۔</p>— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/alisalmanalvi/status/1150023255836844032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">لاہور کی شاہ عالم مارکیٹ میں ایک کھوکھا چلانے والا بھی کروڑوں کی جائیداد کا مالک ہو گا۔ لیکن جب بات ٹیکس کی آئے گی تو ایسے ظاہر کرے گا جیسے اس سے بڑا مسکین اس دنیا میں آیا ہی کوئی نہیں۔</p>— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/alisalmanalvi/status/1150024580033056769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] Are you ready to pay more taxes as a salary person if govt surrender to traders and keep them out of tax net?

 

[WebGuru]

Hate it when Urdu and English are mixed especially when there exist perfectly good words in Urdu for those English words used.


The Urdu of new gen of Pakistanis absolutely sucks. Makes me so angry.

ok ayse waali urdu chalegi?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Lmao why don't these traders want to be regulated? What do they want to hide.

Middle class people who have jobs pay taxes upwards of 30k per year but most of these millionaire traders don't pay a single dime.

 

[Mamoon]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">تاجر ایک دن ہڑتال کریں یا ایک ماہ۔ حقیقی آمدن ڈیکلیئر کرنی ہو گی، اور اس پر ٹیکس دینا ہو گا۔ ٹیکس نہیں دینا تو کاروبار بند کر دیں۔ حکومتیں تاجر مافیا کے ہاتھوں بہت بلیک میل ہو چکیں۔</p>— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/alisalmanalvi/status/1150023255836844032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">لاہور کی شاہ عالم مارکیٹ میں ایک کھوکھا چلانے والا بھی کروڑوں کی جائیداد کا مالک ہو گا۔ لیکن جب بات ٹیکس کی آئے گی تو ایسے ظاہر کرے گا جیسے اس سے بڑا مسکین اس دنیا میں آیا ہی کوئی نہیں۔</p>— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/alisalmanalvi/status/1150024580033056769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] Are you ready to pay more taxes as a salary person if govt surrender to traders and keep them out of tax net?

If I say yes, will you trust me?

 

[Syed1]

strike

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Majority of the people especially traders have realised that Pakistan can only prosper if the taxation reforms are effectively implemented, therefore they have rejected the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/strike?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#strike</a> call and have chosen to stand for a progressive Pakistan&#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <a href="https://t.co/s8dbEBIoyg">pic.twitter.com/s8dbEBIoyg</a></p>— PTI (@PTIofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1150022718613532672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Syed1]

370,000+ traders in Pakistan. Only 47,000 registered for sales tax. Only 17,000 pay sales tax. Obviously they are protesting, their days of unabated daylight robbery are ending. They charge sales tax from customers but do not pay a dime to the government. Aisay kaisay ##

 

[WebGuru]

If I say yes, will you trust me?

Yes I will if salary persons are willing to pay all the taxes directly and indirectly on behalf of traders (although its not gonna help me or my family because our little business is already in tax net and we are not on strike today)

 

[WebGuru]

370,000+ traders in Pakistan. Only 47,000 registered for sales tax. Only 17,000 pay sales tax. Obviously they are protesting, their days of unabated daylight robbery are ending. They charge sales tax from customers but do not pay a dime to the government. Aisay kaisay ##

Now you will realize why taajir beraadri always support PMLN in Punjab.

 

[Mamoon]

Yes I will if salary persons are willing to pay all the taxes directly and indirectly on behalf of traders (although its not gonna help me or my family because our little business is already in tax net and we are not on strike today)

The problem in Peshawar at the moment is that people have lost faith in the government because of how they have messed up the BRT. They don't feel that their tax money will be utilised properly by the government. I am not justifying their thinking but this is how they feel these days. BRT has severely damaged PTI's reputation in Peshawar.

 

[Syed1]

The problem in Peshawar at the moment is that people have lost faith in the government because of how they have messed up the BRT. They don't feel that their tax money will be utilised properly by the government. I am not justifying their thinking but this is how they feel these days. BRT has severely damaged PTI's reputation in Peshawar.

BRT project was ongoing when people of Peshawar went to the polls and dished out 2/3 majority for PTI.

 

[WebGuru]

The problem in Peshawar at the moment is that people have lost faith in the government because of how they have messed up the BRT. They don't feel that their tax money will be utilised properly by the government. I am not justifying their thinking but this is how they feel these days. BRT has severely damaged PTI's reputation in Peshawar.

I agree with BRT point in Peshawer but these traders in Pak have always blackmailed governments whenever there was an effort to enter them in tax net. Look if we don't work on getting them in tax net someone else will have to pay the price and that will probably be salary class or more indirect taxes.

There is a massive pressure on govt right now from all ends and I hate to say it but I am sure PTI will take a uturn on this one the traders on Pak are too powerful nobody in our 72 years history was able to force them to pay taxes.

 

[Asim_khan]

BRT project was ongoing when people of Peshawar went to the polls and dished out 2/3 majority for PTI.

"BRT project was ongoing when [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] went to the polls and dished out 2/3 majority for PTI. " #NeverForget #WinningTeam

 

[Mamoon]

BRT project was ongoing when people of Peshawar went to the polls and dished out 2/3 majority for PTI.

"BRT project was ongoing when [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] went to the polls and dished out 2/3 majority for PTI. " #NeverForget #WinningTeam

It has been 12 months since and the project is getting worse and worse. The lowest point was when a woman was killed in April during a test run.

There is a limit to everything, and people are running out of patience with it now. On a funny note, a roadside barber has a opened a shop in one of the stations.

That is how confident he is that it is not going to be up and running any time soon. Looks like PTI have succeeded in creating a job.

 

[Bewal Express]

The problem in Peshawar at the moment is that people have lost faith in the government because of how they have messed up the BRT. They don't feel that their tax money will be utilised properly by the government. I am not justifying their thinking but this is how they feel these days. BRT has severely damaged PTI's reputation in Peshawar.

Well if they do a bad job they will lose. But everytime any of you Nooras are challenged you run. Do you think the tax net has to be increased? Where should the govt look? Or shall we pretend that 4trillion is enough to run a country the size of PK?

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

What people fail to realize is that GST is already being collected every time you buy a product. It's been included into the price and for years these traders have not been paying their due taxes.

So they like including GST into prices of their products, but don't like it when the government comes knocking on their doors to collect that GST.

And to think there are some thugs on this forum supporting them. Then again, I'm not surprised.

 

[WebGuru]

It has been 12 months since and the project is getting worse and worse. The lowest point was when a woman was killed in April during a test run.

There is a limit to everything, and people are running out of patience with it now. On a funny note, a roadside barber has a opened a shop in one of the stations.

That is how confident he is that it is not going to be up and running any time soon. Looks like PTI have succeeded in creating a job.

FATA elections are just 1 week away so PTI will pay a huge price if people are really upset because of economy issues PTM issues and all the other security issues etc so let's wait and see how they perform in it and i am willing to take a PTI defeat in FATA if that helps in giving them a reality check.

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

It has been 12 months since and the project is getting worse and worse. The lowest point was when a woman was killed in April during a test run.

There is a limit to everything, and people are running out of patience with it now. On a funny note, a roadside barber has a opened a shop in one of the stations.

That is how confident he is that it is not going to be up and running any time soon. Looks like PTI have succeeded in creating a job.

Once again Mamoon shows us his dishonesty. Even though I ripped his myths apart in the previous topics, he insist on lying. Again, shows us what kind of upbringing this guy has.

A woman died after she was run over by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) shuttle in the city’s Hayatabad area on Saturday. The bus route was being run on a trial basis. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Lubna, managed to cross the fencing and come onto the tracks when she was hit by the bus.

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1944969/1-peshawar-woman-dies-brt-accident/

Tell me under what circumstances is this the fault of the bus operator, when you willingly choose to enter restricted area by climbing over a fence and walking on an active busway.

Of course, I don't expect a reply.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=133397]WebGuru[/MENTION] I am paying more than 7k rupees even on my monthly stipend, I have no problem then why should they have, Danda is needed.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Fully Support Shabbar Zaidi’s efforts to enhance Pakistan’s tax net. There is no other option. PTI is getting record foreign loans and Pakistan will completely collapse if we do not increase our Tax earnings.



But the problem here is again PTI’s lying brigade.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">مریم صفدر معمول کی غلط بیانی اور جھوٹ سے باز نہیں آسکتی.عام دوکاندار تو اس ہڑتال کی بائیکاٹ کر چکا البتہ آپ کی پارٹی کا تاجر ونگ ہڑتال کا تاثر دینے کی ناکام کوشش کر رہا ہے. <a href="https://t.co/90PmYWIbdt">pic.twitter.com/90PmYWIbdt</a></p>— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SHABAZGIL/status/1150006868464435200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>







<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I personally fail to understand their demands but the strike was a success <a href="https://t.co/7qbe64uIWD">pic.twitter.com/7qbe64uIWD</a></p>— farrukh saleem (@SaleemFarrukh) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaleemFarrukh/status/1150033391968030724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

Fully Support Shabbar Zaidi’s efforts to enhance Pakistan’s tax net. There is no other option. PTI is getting record foreign loans and Pakistan will completely collapse if we do not increase our Tax earnings.

But the problem here is again PTI’s lying brigade.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">مریم صفدر معمول کی غلط بیانی اور جھوٹ سے باز نہیں آسکتی.عام دوکاندار تو اس ہڑتال کی بائیکاٹ کر چکا البتہ آپ کی پارٹی کا تاجر ونگ ہڑتال کا تاثر دینے کی ناکام کوشش کر رہا ہے. <a href="https://t.co/90PmYWIbdt">pic.twitter.com/90PmYWIbdt</a></p>— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SHABAZGIL/status/1150006868464435200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I personally fail to understand their demands but the strike was a success <a href="https://t.co/7qbe64uIWD">pic.twitter.com/7qbe64uIWD</a></p>— farrukh saleem (@SaleemFarrukh) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaleemFarrukh/status/1150033391968030724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Please show me evidence of "record number of loans" which you claim.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Instead of lying unabatedly government should accept Truth. Truth is that the Strike indeed was successful.



So hold negotiations with traders. Accept their legitimate demands and say No to any attempt of blackmail or getting un-necessary Tax Choot.



No compromise should be made on not increasing tax net.




PML N took over from PPP with FBR’s annual tax collection being 1.94 trillion in 2013. When PML N left in 2018 our Tax collection was doubled and 3.842 trillion was collected. Now it’s PTI’s job to double it to 7.6 trillion in next 5 years.




Fully Support Shabbar Zaidi. Hope he succeeds. InshaAllah.

 

[WebGuru]

[MENTION=133397]WebGuru[/MENTION] I am paying more than 7k rupees even on my monthly stipend, I have no problem then why should they have, Danda is needed.

That's what I am saying we need them to pay taxes or else more indirect taxes are coming and taxes on salaries will increase further if we don't increase the number of tax payers

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] - Pakistan’s inability to raise its low Tax-to-GDP ratio because people like you who think adding wealthy Pakistani Feudal and Elites to the direct tax net is unthinkable! On the one hand you're crying that traders shouldn't be taxed, while at the same time crying about "record loans" taken out. Make up your mind.

 

[Mamoon]

Once again Mamoon shows us his dishonesty. Even though I ripped his myths apart in the previous topics, he insist on lying. Again, shows us what kind of upbringing this guy has.

A woman died after she was run over by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) shuttle in the city’s Hayatabad area on Saturday. The bus route was being run on a trial basis. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Lubna, managed to cross the fencing and come onto the tracks when she was hit by the bus.

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1944969/1-peshawar-woman-dies-brt-accident/

Tell me under what circumstances is this the fault of the bus operator, when you willingly choose to enter restricted area by climbing over a fence and walking on an active busway.

Of course, I don't expect a reply.

Oh I am sorry, I was under the impression that the driver deliberately ran over the woman because he wanted to kill her.

Thank you for clarifying that she got hit because she crossed the fence.

On a serious note, are you seriously insisting that the driver is not at fault because the woman crossed the fence?

Was the driver blind or was he sleeping? They need to be prepared for these situations. This accident happened because of the carelessness of the woman and the negligence of the driver.

 

[Asim_khan]

Wow those stats cut and paste King has shared, a table where "more or less complete" is accepted as legitimate facts and figures

 

[Bewal Express]

Hammad Azhar

Lets have a run down on the avg Annual Income Tax (estimated) collected from a shop in the following markets of Lahore;
Liberty = Rs 75k/annum
Johar Town = Rs 35k
Township = Rs 20K
Brandeth Road = Rs 30K
Hall Road = Rs 20k
A large number of shops not registered and pay nothing.

 

[WebGuru]

Hammad Azhar

Lets have a run down on the avg Annual Income Tax (estimated) collected from a shop in the following markets of Lahore;
Liberty = Rs 75k/annum
Johar Town = Rs 35k
Township = Rs 20K
Brandeth Road = Rs 30K
Hall Road = Rs 20k
A large number of shops not registered and pay nothing.

And these are the busiest markets of the country not just Lahore.

 

[Bewal Express]

And these are the busiest markets of the country not just Lahore.

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]
After your earlier excitement-Do you think it's fair?

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Please show me evidence of "record number of loans" which you claim.

Thank you Rambo_Fan



Govt’s foreign borrowing soars to $9.5b in 11 months

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has busted the annual target of foreign loans in 11 months and acquired $9.5 billion from international creditors



https://tribune.com.pk/story/1998322/2-govts-foreign-borrowing-soars-9-5b-11-months/




Add to this $20.8b borrowed by SBP.




So 20.8 + 9.5 = 31.3 billion USD dollars domestic and foreign debt.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] - Pakistan’s inability to raise its low Tax-to-GDP ratio because people like you who think adding wealthy Pakistani Feudal and Elites to the direct tax net is unthinkable! On the one hand you're crying that traders shouldn't be taxed, while at the same time crying about "record loans" taken out. Make up your mind.

I think it’s a reading comprehension issue. Nowhere I said that traders shouldn’t be taxed. All traders must come into tax net and government should ensure this. We have to increase our Tax to GDP ratio.



Did Tax to GDP ratio in PML N’s 5 years tenure improve ?

 

[Bewal Express]

Thank you Rambo_Fan



Govt’s foreign borrowing soars to $9.5b in 11 months

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has busted the annual target of foreign loans in 11 months and acquired $9.5 billion from international creditors



https://tribune.com.pk/story/1998322/2-govts-foreign-borrowing-soars-9-5b-11-months/




Add to this $20.8b borrowed by SBP.




So 20.8 + 9.5 = 31.3 billion USD dollars domestic and foreign debt.

The PTI have not started any projects they are borrowing to clear up the mess left by $60bn borrowed by your Crooks. Where did the $60bn go?

 

[Syed1]

Please show me evidence of "record number of loans" which you claim.

What this patwari isn't mentioning that PTi government has also paid back $10b in foreign loans in their first year so net increase has been minimal. Gaoon dehaat se nikal ke agaye hain apnay ap ko economist samaj behtay hain log

 

[SensiblePakFan]

They will have to open eventually. Let them strike.

 

[Bewal Express]

The PTI need to keep their wudhu and not back down because they are in the right. The country is being held hostage by a cabal of mafia's from the Family businesses, to lawyers, to the business community. The battle against that the mafia's has to be won by IK and he should use the ISI and any other resources available to him because the survival of a viable state is at stake.

 

[aqeelPK]

The PTI have not started any projects they are borrowing to clear up the mess left by $60bn borrowed by your Crooks. Where did the $60bn go?

They borrowed 31.3billion USD & claim 9.6billion USD payments cleared in loans. Where did all the other money go when they are not doing any projects either? This is the reason public do not trust them because they are not getting anything back on their tax payments. chor chor chooran is also not selling anymore.

 

[Bewal Express]

They borrowed 31.3billion USD & claim 9.6billion USD payments cleared in loans. Where did all the other money go when they are not doing any projects either? This is the reason public do not trust them because they are not getting anything back on their tax payments. chor chor chooran is also not selling anymore.

Repaying loans and interest on the $60bn over the last 10 years




And this is the IMF verdict on the disaster the Nooras left behind.


Pakistan’s economy is at a critical juncture. Misaligned economic policies, including large fiscal deficits, loose monetary policy, and defense of an overvalued exchange rate, fueled consumption and short-term growth in recent years, but steadily eroded macroeconomic buffers, increased external and public debt, and depleted international reserves. Structural weaknesses remained largely unaddressed, including a chronically weak tax administration, a difficult business environment, inefficient and loss making SOEs, and low labor productivity amid a large informal economy.

Without urgent policy action, economic and financial stability could be at risk, and growth prospects will be insufficient to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.
You love to ask questions but run when challenged, so is the IMF wrong

 

[aqeelPK]

Repaying loans and interest on the $60bn over the last 10 years


And this is the IMF verdict on the disaster the Nooras left behind.


Pakistan’s economy is at a critical juncture. Misaligned economic policies, including large fiscal deficits, loose monetary policy, and defense of an overvalued exchange rate, fueled consumption and short-term growth in recent years, but steadily eroded macroeconomic buffers, increased external and public debt, and depleted international reserves. Structural weaknesses remained largely unaddressed, including a chronically weak tax administration, a difficult business environment, inefficient and loss making SOEs, and low labor productivity amid a large informal economy.

Without urgent policy action, economic and financial stability could be at risk, and growth prospects will be insufficient to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.
You love to ask questions but run when challenged, so is the IMF wrong

PTI borrowed 31bn USD to clearout debt incurred by previous govt (as they claim) & only cleared out approx 9bn USD (as they claim). Where did remaining money go? They are not starting or doing any projects (as claimed by you) then where is development budget going? They increased taxation, where is that money going?

 

[moghul]

This tax system is in practice all over the world, our people are just not used to it. Country is being run on borrow money of which some was spent on people, rest in "big pockets". These shopkeepers have been willing to pay bribe and "bhattat" but don;t want to pay taxes. Let them cry, reality is harsh sometimes.

 

[Bewal Express]

PTI borrowed 31bn USD to clearout debt incurred by previous govt (as they claim) & only cleared out approx 9bn USD (as they claim). Where did remaining money go? They are not starting or doing any projects (as claimed by you) then where is development budget going? They increased taxation, where is that money going?

So you are Noora but you want me to teach you about the disastrous legacy of the duffer and his crooked family. Ok,I will do so. Firstly they borrowed $60bn which needs a massive repayment of 10's of billions in principle and interest, then there was the issue of having foreign reserves covering less than 3 months imports and then there was the issue of a 7% budget deficit, which if withdrawn too quickly would lead to too much monetary tightening,too quickly.
Now that I have schooled as usual, respond to the IMF report. Or are going to run from this report like you do from question yesterday.

 

[Bewal Express]

PTI borrowed 31bn USD to clearout debt incurred by previous govt (as they claim) & only cleared out approx 9bn USD (as they claim). Where did remaining money go? They are not starting or doing any projects (as claimed by you) then where is development budget going? They increased taxation, where is that money going?

Btw can you give me a source for the $31bn.

 

[aqeelPK]

Btw can you give me a source for the $31bn.

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/Profile.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/m_policy/2019/MPS-May-2019-Compendium.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

Now answer the question please before asking one more. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

 

[Syed1]

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/Profile.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/m_policy/2019/MPS-May-2019-Compendium.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

Now answer the question please before asking one more. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

So as per this link external debt has risen from $92.2b in Mar-18 to $105b in Mar-19. If you look at from roughly when PTI took over the debt was $96 and now its $105, this is despite the ruppee being devalued like crazy.


So can you explain to me where the $31b came from. I'll make it easy for you $105 - $96 = $9b.

 

[Abdullah719]

Coming back to the topic...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tax Fact: The Retail Sector in Pakistan contributes towards approx 20% of GDP. Yet its contribution towards total tax collection is just 0.25%.</p>— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hammad_Azhar/status/1149980729767604224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Syed1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lets have a run down on the avg Annual Income Tax (estimated) collected from a shop in the following markets of Lahore;<br>Liberty = Rs 75k/annum<br>Johar Town = Rs 35k <br>Township = Rs 20K<br>Brandeth Road = Rs 30K<br>Hall Road = Rs 20k<br>A large number of shops not registered and pay nothing.</p>— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hammad_Azhar/status/1150053417202704384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



This is from just Lahore, the situation is same in Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Pindi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Sailkot, Quetta etc etc etc etc.

The annual tax from these shops is even less than the DAILY turnover of these shops. If Pakistan has to survive this situation cannot continue like this.

 

[Bewal Express]

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

So as per this link external debt has risen from $92.2b in Mar-18 to $105b in Mar-19. If you look at from roughly when PTI took over the debt was $96 and now its $105, this is despite the ruppee being devalued like crazy.


So can you explain to me where the $31b came from. I'll make it easy for you $105 - $96 = $9b.

Thanks yaar. I knew like all Nooras he just makes up stuff.

 

[Bewal Express]

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/Profile.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/m_policy/2019/MPS-May-2019-Compendium.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

Now answer the question please before asking one more. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

So once again explain where you got the $31bn from?

 

[Pakpak]

Hate it when Urdu and English are mixed especially when there exist perfectly good words in Urdu for those English words used.


The Urdu of new gen of Pakistanis absolutely sucks. Makes me so angry.

Yar I remember here on PP arguing with a poster who was trying to convince me the word 'car' has no Urdu alternative.

 

[Bewal Express]

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/Profile.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/m_policy/2019/MPS-May-2019-Compendium.pdf
http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

Now answer the question please before asking one more. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

I am not sure at your reading skills but I explained that it was threefold: debt servicing( which is the biggest single reason) and shoring up foreign reserves. But again you are running- what do you think of the IMF report on the duffers reign? [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] do you think this guy will ever answer a single question?

 

[Pakpak]

I am not sure at your reading skills but I explained that it was threefold: debt servicing( which is the biggest single reason) and shoring up foreign reserves. But again you are running- what do you think of the IMF report on the duffers reign? [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] do you think this guy will ever answer a single question?

If someone asked me to prove my apartment was mine via money trail, I can do it in under 10 minutes. His leader can't seem to do that in 2 years. I doubt his followers are any brighter.

 

[pakistanisgreat]

Guys correct me if i read it wrong. Why do a regular person has to show his/her identity card to purchase even a fan? That's not the case out side of pakistan.

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

If someone asked me to prove my apartment was mine via money trail, I can do it in under 10 minutes. His leader can't seem to do that in 2 years. I doubt his followers are any brighter.

His followers are people who think lion is spelled LOIN and are impressed by a paved road.

 

[WebGuru]

Guys correct me if i read it wrong. Why do a regular person has to show his/her identity card to purchase even a fan? That's not the case out side of pakistan.

Not for a fan because it's not that expensive but he will have to show ID Card on transactions above 50k in case he is a non filer govt will be able to document his transactions to find if he is a tax evader.

 

[UP]

The past governments failed massively to implement proper taxation system. What we have now is huge population and no system or data base of who earns what. To take an easy route, the government implements same taxes on everybody (rich and poor) and in result we witness protests and maar dhaar.

It will take decades to build a proper tax system if they get to work now.

 

[shah_1]

Hope PTI do not get blackmailed

Pay your taxes

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

Certain people on this forum are of the opinion that people shouldn't be taxed. A patwari education system will do that.

 

[AdamM97]

The government should make it clear that blackmailing won’t work. Once these traders realize that the government doesn’t care, they’ll call off the strike. This is just an attempt to make the govt reverse their decision to tax people.

 

[aqeelPK]

http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/pakdebt.pdf

So as per this link external debt has risen from $92.2b in Mar-18 to $105b in Mar-19. If you look at from roughly when PTI took over the debt was $96 and now its $105, this is despite the ruppee being devalued like crazy.


So can you explain to me where the $31b came from. I'll make it easy for you $105 - $96 = $9b.

Struggling to read? Pakistan's total debt increased by approx 7300bn Rs that is approx 45bn USD as of current exchange rate(SBP's official data on pakdebt). Why are you only counting in external debt when [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] clreary mentioned
"Add to this $20.8b borrowed by SBP.




So 20.8 + 9.5 = 31.3 billion USD dollars domestic and foreign debt."

Question remains unanswered. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

 

[aqeelPK]

Thanks yaar. I knew like all Nooras he just makes up stuff.

SBP's official record my friend. No one making up anything here.

 

[Bewal Express]

SBP's official record my friend. No one making up anything here.

The external debt is the done in Dollars- and that has to be repaid in Dollars, Why are you converting the 2 debts in to Dollars?

 

[Mian]

SBP's official record my friend. No one making up anything here.

ever heard of internal and external debt? Try converting PMLN+PPP internal debt to dollars from rupees and see the result

 

[aqeelPK]

The external debt is the done in Dollars- and that has to be repaid in Dollars, Why are you converting the 2 debts in to Dollars?

ever heard of internal and external debt? Try converting PMLN+PPP internal debt to dollars from rupees and see the result

Whatever unit you prefer but Question remains unanswered. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

 

[Bewal Express]

Whatever unit you prefer but Question remains unanswered. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

So you didn't know the difference between external debt in Dollars and debt borrowed locally in Rps. Lol. I bet you are just desperate to believe that they have stolen it, and no matter what answer I give you, nothing can help you to understand. Firstly, like with Foreign debt the old internal debt has to be financed, and just like a heroine addict the PK economy has to be weaned off internal debt slowly because already trying to wean them off imports has slowed down the economy, so they are running a budget deficit which is in my opinion too high. But I bet you have no idea what I have written but thanks for the laugh my Noora friend internal and external debt.

 

[Bewal Express]

Whatever unit you prefer but Question remains unanswered. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

So know how about you answering a question for a change- do you agree with Miftah that Dar ran an exchange rate which was artificially inflated? If you do, why, if you don't let's hear from whether it was worth using $6bn in Foreign exchange to defend. And please don't run as is your habit normally.

 

[aqeelPK]

So you didn't know the difference between external debt in Dollars and debt borrowed locally in Rps. Lol. I bet you are just desperate to believe that they have stolen it, and no matter what answer I give you, nothing can help you to understand. Firstly, like with Foreign debt the old internal debt has to be financed, and just like a heroine addict the PK economy has to be weaned off internal debt slowly because already trying to wean them off imports has slowed down the economy, so they are running a budget deficit which is in my opinion too high. But I bet you have no idea what I have written but thanks for the laugh my Noora friend internal and external debt.

Budget deficit Rs1.9trillion (which doubled up in current fiscal year)+ internal debt payments 521bn Rs. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

 

[Bewal Express]

Budget deficit Rs1.9trillion (which doubled up in current fiscal year)+ internal debt payments 521bn Rs. What is PTI doing with all this money they borrowing, development budget & revenue increase via taxation?

I have responded to all your questions but please answer my question on Miftah admission. Or will you run. In a debate you ask questions but also answer.

 

[aqeelPK]

I have responded to all your questions but please answer my question on Miftah admission. Or will you run. In a debate you ask questions but also answer.

No you have not. 10bn USD external loans + 8200bn Rs internal loans. You only answered 2400bnRs + 9bn USD. Where is the remaining amount?

 

[Bewal Express]

No you have not. 10bn USD external loans + 8200bn Rs internal loans. You only answered 2400bnRs + 9bn USD. Where is the remaining amount?

As I said earlier you have no answers to my question on Miftahs criticism of Munshi. You ran away from this same question last week and you will do so again because you are an uneducated troll with nothing to add.
I am not sure at your comprehension but its to service the incredible levels of debt, bear in mind that the Nooras had been running a 7% budget deficit which along with trillions borrowed has to be serviced. They also cannot cut the deficit too quickly because that would hit the economy too hard due to the cut in imports.

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

#LetsAllPayTaxes

An interesting take. If you like patari you'll also get this week's top 10 songs along with a political rant. :

He makes some good points, but off on some others.

 

[Abdullah719]

Pay taxes as charity not enough: FBR chairman

Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi on Friday called on the nation to pay taxes as "giving zakat, charity money and donations is simply not enough".

The remarks came as he addressed a symposium in Islamabad, titled 'Pakistan Economy and IMF Programme: Challenges and Opportunities' organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

"I have endured enormous pressure over the past two weeks. I meet 13-14 delegations every day with whom I hold discussions."

"Everyone says the same thing: 'Please stop charging all these taxes'. We must realise that simply giving zakat, charity and donations is not enough," he said, adding, "Everyone is equally liable to pay taxes."

The chairman also asked why such a big deal was being made over the National Identity Card (NIC) condition for shopping worth Rs50,000 or more.

"Everyone is raising a hue and cry over the requirement of showing the NIC for purchases over Rs50,000. Even beggars have identity cards [these days]. What is the problem in showing your identity card?" he asked.

Talking about the economic situation, he said Pakistan has transformed itself into a trading country from a semi-manufacturing country.

"We are importing everything from chocolate to mineral water to shoes. The previous year imports stood at $51 billion, whereas exports stood at $21bn. No country can function like this," he said.

Quelling the fears of exporters, he said that taxes have only been imposed on local trade of goods and not on the export sector.

He regretted the proliferation of hawala and hundi businesses.

"No questions were ever asked when it came to remittances coming in from abroad which led to the mushrooming of hawala and hundi businesses," he remarked.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1495006/pay-taxes-as-charity-not-enough-fbr-chairman