PM announces blue passports, honorary ambassador status for top taxpayers

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced that Pakistan’s top taxpayers will be honored as national heroes and will be issued blue passports and Pakistan Honours Cards.

Additionally, major taxpayers and exporters will be granted the status of honorary ambassadors of the country.

The announcement was made during an excellence award ceremony for key taxpayers, companies, and exporters, where Sharif emphasized the sole purpose of the event was to recognize the architects and national heroes of Pakistan who have contributed to the nation through their hard work and taxes and have significantly increased Pakistan’s exports through their relentless efforts.

He said that they have proven their mettle in small and medium enterprises, women with outstanding performance in business enterprises, and those who have played a role in non-traditional exports and increasing exports and taxes.

Read more: Pakistan govt falls short of collecting Rs58 trillion in taxes

The list of Pakistan’s top 66 taxpayers, companies, and exporters was also revealed.

Sharif stated that to address Pakistan’s economic conditions and challenges, both the private and public sectors must progress together, eliminating red tape and delays, and creating a conducive environment for the business community to help Pakistan catch up in the race for economic development. This is only possible with full support from the private sector.

He further stated that conducting business is not the government’s job; rather, the government’s role is to provide a favorable environment and facilities and to formulate and implement policies through a consultative process that will include Pakistan in the race for development in the coming years.

The prime minister welcomed the guests at the ceremony and congratulated them on receiving the awards. He mentioned that the import of expensive oil for electricity production must be gradually phased out, as Pakistan has surplus electricity in both winter and summer, which should be provided to the industry to increase production and reduce losses.

Sharif said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) needs to be restructured, with a consultant to be appointed in April for this purpose. Complete digitization of the FBR will take time. This year’s revenue collection is Rs9 trillion, which is 9 per cent of the total GDP and the lowest in the region.

He emphasized that imposing more taxes is not beneficial, and there is a need to reduce tax slabs, but the flaws in the system must be addressed with innovative tax measures.

The premier said that Rs2700 billion are stuck in litigation, and honest individuals must be brought into tribunals to make merit-based decisions without prolonging cases for years.

The prime minister said that major taxpayers and exporters will be given the status of honorary ambassadors abroad, and Pakistani embassies worldwide will be instructed to fully support this initiative.

He noted that exporters have been refunded Rs65 billion on his instructions and directed that such matters be resolved promptly without delay.

On this occasion, the Islamabad police’s smartly turned-out squad presented a guard of honour to the individuals, companies, and exporters who paid the most taxes.