Tax collection 18pc higher: Facilitating expats yielding dividends, says PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday appreciated the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving the historic level of tax revenue of Rs4,732 billion in 2020-21, exceeding the target of Rs4,691 billion and 18 percent higher than the last year.

The prime minister tweeted, “I commend efforts of FBR for achieving historic level of tax revenues of Rs4,732 billion in 2020-21 - exceeding target of Rs4,691bn & 18% higher than last year. This performance is testimony to the strong economic revival spurred by our government's policies”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday chairing a meeting on increase in foreign remittances. The premier directed the ministries concerned to consider extending more incentives to the overseas Pakistanis to attract maximum remittances.

Imran said overseas Pakistanis were asset to the country adding that the remittances sent by them had an important role in the country's economic stability. Minister for finance, minister for economic affairs, trade adviser, special assistants for national security, revenue and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Imran said the government was determined to fully facilitating the overseas Pakistanis and their families and emphasized the need for evolving a strategy to achieve the targets set for different sectors.

The meeting was informed that the National Remittance Loyalty program will soon be introduced for facilitation of overseas Pakistanis and under this program, a mobile application will be launched and more financial incentives will be extended to them.

The program will be launched in cooperation with different departments including PIA, FBR, Nadra, State Life, OPF and Employees Old-Age Benefit Fund. It was informed that Roshan Apna Ghar Scheme will also be launched soon for overseas Pakistanis.

The Board of Investment informed the meeting that every possible effort was being made on the part of government to facilitate foreign investment in the country. The State Bank of Pakistan apprised the meeting that the government's policy of extending incentives to the overseas Pakistanis was yielding positive results.

The meeting was informed that about $1.561 billion had so far been received in Roshan Digital Account in a short period of ten months and there was a consistent increase in inflows. The prime minister also chaired a meeting of the National Coordinating Committee for Housing, Construction and Development and was given a briefing on Business District Plan for Rawalpindi.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State Farrukh Habib, Special Assistants Malik Amin Aslam, Dr Shahbaz Gill, Chairman New Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anwar Ali Haider and senior officers.

Punjab Housing Minister Mian Mahmood Rasheed, Advisor Dr. Salman Shah and Chief Secretary Punjab also participated through the video link. Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister Dr. Salman Shah informed the meeting that the project included construction of an expressway on both sides of Rawalpindi Nullah Leh, cleaning of the nullah and construction of business district on both sides.

Because of this project, it will be possible to protect the lives and property of the citizens from the flood situation, the meeting was told. The project will be run under a public-private partnership model in which the government will provide only land.

The project estimates the multi-economic benefits from the proposed business district. The meeting was also briefed on the legal amendments, administrative structure and timelines required for the project. Chief Secretary Punjab briefed the meeting on Gujranwala Development Plan.

The meeting was informed that 40 projects had been included in the Provincial and Federal Development Program for Gujranwala for the financial year 2021-22, including agriculture, industry, road construction and repair, environmental protection, drinking water and sewerage.

Highlighting the usefulness of both the schemes, the prime minister said that they would increase economic activities and directly benefit the citizens. He said private sector experts should be consulted to make the plan effective and alternative plans be made to get the best out of the projects and that priority should be given to relinquishment of government lands.

He emphasized that the goals related to the projects should be completed within the stipulated time. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and briefed him on the budget and the steps being taken to make Gilgit-Baltistan an international tourist destination.

Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central leaders met Prime Minister Imran Khan. Chief Organizer Senator Saifullah Khan Niazi and Central Secretary General and Member National Assembly Amir Mahmood Kayani were among those who called on him.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and PTI Central Deputy Secretary General Sindh were also present in the meeting and a detailed discussion on the overall political situation in the country and issues of mutual interest was held.