GST on imported solar panel components slashed to 10%

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Senator Ishaq Dar, speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, announced reducing general sales tax (GST) on imported components of solar panels from 18 per cent to 10pc.

Taking the floor briefly, he said some budgetary proposals had been reviewed after consultations with the allied parties, as the government believes in reconciliation. “After mutual consultation, it has been decided to reduce the proposed sales tax on imported components of solar panels for the upcoming financial year,” he said.

Secondly, Ishaq Dar said that he would say categorically that Sales Tax on e-commerce would remain the domain of the provincial governments. He said all stakeholders including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and business community were also taken on board on this issue of Sales Tax on Services/e-commerce. “A categorical clarification in this regard will also be given at winding up speech,” he said.

The DPM assured that the universities of Sindh will be provided Rs4.7 billion. He said the scope of Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL) is also being expanded. He said that the PIDCL which is successor body of Pak PWD would carrying out next development schemes in three provinces along with Sindh.

Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum voiced serious reservations during the ongoing federal budget debate, criticising gaps in social spending, job protection, agriculture support, and tax policy.