‘Increase tax collection, not tax rate’; Punjab to register unlicensed businesses

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the registration of wedding halls and restaurants that are not yet registered. Instead of cracking down on unlicensed businesses, the provincial government has decided to bring them into the registered fold.

The chief minister took this decision while chairing a special meeting regarding taxation and business registration today. She also rejected all proposals to increase taxes on businesses, choosing instead to broaden the tax payers’ network. “Do not increase taxes, increase tax network,” Maryam Nawaz said.

She said the Punjab government will not burden the public with additional taxes. “We do not want to put financial burden on the common man. A person earning Rs200,000 pays tax and a person earning in millions does not pay taxes,” she said, adding that those who are already registered will not be punished with more tax.

It cannot happen that tax payers are burdened more and tax evaders are not touched, Maryam Nawaz said.

Punjab chief minister also directed the departments concerned to find new revenue opportunities.

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