Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating the wholesale and retail sectors into the tax net while ensuring that small traders and shopkeepers receive maximum facilitation during this transition.
Speaking at a meeting with trade representatives at the Finance Ministry, Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of broadening the tax base for the effective functioning of the country. “To run the country effectively, everyone must contribute their fair share in taxes,” he stated. The meeting, aimed at discussing tax reforms and business integration into the formal economy, underscores the government’s focus on equitable tax collection and economic transparency.
Prominent attendees included Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah, State Minister Ali Pervez, and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial. Naeem Mir, Chairman of the Supreme Council All Pakistan Traders Association, also participated via video link from Lahore.
Aurangzeb highlighted the necessity of reforming the wholesale and retail sectors, which have historically remained outside the tax net, despite their substantial contribution to the economy. He assured small traders that the government would introduce measures to make compliance easier and less burdensome.
Naeem Mir lauded the FBR’s adoption of advanced technologies, such as data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to combat tax evasion. He emphasized that this modernized approach aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of digitalizing tax operations, a shift aimed at improving efficiency and reducing manual intervention.
The trade representatives expressed their readiness to collaborate with the government in its efforts to expand the tax network. They assured their support for initiatives designed to promote transparency and fairness in the tax collection process.
Aurangzeb’s assurances come at a time when the government is striving to stabilize the economy and increase revenue collection. The inclusion of small traders and shopkeepers in the tax net is seen as a critical step toward achieving these goals while fostering a culture of compliance and responsibility.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding of the need for collective efforts to strengthen the tax system, with all stakeholders pledging their cooperation for the greater good of the country.