Sindh demands IMF refrain from imposing additional taxes on agriculture sector

KARACHI: Sindh’s Minister for Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Baksh Mahar has expressed serious concerns over the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demand to impose an 18 per cent general sales tax (GST) and increase Federal Excise Duty (FED) on fertilisers, sprays and agricultural machinery.

In his statement, Mahar said, “The IMF’s demand is extremely unfair and anti-farmer, which will prove disastrous for the country’s agricultural sector and farmers. The IMF must refrain from proposing additional taxes on the agriculture sector.”

He emphasised that farmers across the country, including Sindh, are already suffering due to climate change, water scarcity and low crop prices.

The provincial minister warned that the new taxes would lead to an enormous increase in agricultural production costs, ultimately jeopardising food security. He said that this would trigger a new wave of inflation in the country.

Mahar strongly urged the federal government to persuade the IMF and make it aware of the importance of the agriculture sector.

He made it clear, “The IMF’s demand is causing severe unrest among farmers, and we vehemently oppose any such proposal.”

Concluding his statement, the Sindh agriculture minister said that providing facilities to agriculture is the greatest need of the hour, not imposing additional burdens on it.