Govt to announce ‘Pakistan Honour Card Scheme’ for top taxpayers

WEB DESK: The federal government is set to introduce the “Pakistan Honour Card Scheme,” aiming to extend privileges and facilities, notably at airports, to the nation’s leading taxpayers and exporters.

Under the scheme, dubbed “Pakistan Honour Cards,” 65 distinguished exporters and compliant taxpayers will be bestowed with special privileges.

Recipients will include companies, Associations of Persons (AOPs), and individual taxpayers who have been recognised with awards by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the privileges earmarked for cardholders encompass expedited clearance at immigration counters, issuance of official passports, and access to facilities and amenities at VIP lounges within airports.

Additionally, cardholders will have the exclusive opportunity to attend an annual dinner hosted by the Prime Minister.

The announcement follows Prime Minister Sharif’s conferment of awards upon 65 top taxpayers and exporters on March 26, 2024.

Among the awardees were both traditional and non-traditional exporters, as well as high-ranking taxpayers.

Furthermore, the scheme is designed to encompass new taxpayers who have demonstrated significant contributions, with the top two highest taxpayers and the top three small and medium enterprises (SMEs) set to be included.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to incentivise tax compliance and bolster the nation’s economic landscape by recognising and rewarding exemplary contributions to the country’s revenue stream and export sector.