The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have overlooked proposals from Tax Reforms: Agenda for Self-Sustainability, which could help Pakistan collect Rs 30 trillion at the federal level. This could aid in addressing the fiscal deficit, reducing reliance on loans, fostering economic growth, and enhancing social services.
A crucial step forward involves determining fair taxation rights between the federation and its units under the Constitution. Allowing provinces to raise sufficient resources is essential to tackle the federal government’s fiscal deficit. For instance, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should receive their entitled shares from excise duties on natural gas and electricity, as per the Constitution.
Despite possessing abundant natural resources like oil, gas, and electricity, provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh receive disproportionately low shares of sales tax revenues. The article emphasizes the need for a unified sales tax on goods and services at a low rate, collected by a federalized National Tax Authority representing both the federation and its units.
To achieve fiscal consolidation and ease of doing business, there is a call for constitutional amendments to grant the federal government the right to levy various taxes, including on agricultural income. The article suggests that a unified National Tax Authority, staffed by officers of the All Pakistan Unified Tax Service, could streamline tax collection and distribution processes.
Efforts to reform tax collection agencies at federal and provincial levels and merge them into a single National Tax Authority are deemed crucial for reducing the national fiscal deficit. This move, coupled with digitization and e-government initiatives, could pave the way for sustainable fiscal stabilization in Pakistan. The article stresses the importance of civil society and media advocacy to push for these reforms.
