ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Saturday said duties had been imposed only upon the imported and luxury items which were used only by the rich.
Talking to a news channel, he said introduction of additional taxes on the imported items would not affect the common man. The regulatory duty was levied on 350 items which were only used by the rich, and it was aimed at covering Rs 40 billion revenue shortfall.
Moreover, the additional taxes on the imported items would also help save the foreign exchange, he added.
To a question, Ishaq Dar said the number of tax payers had been increased from 700,000 to one million during last two years.
He said the revenue collection recorded 28 percent increase in November this year which was a great achievement of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The minister said during next two years the government would focus on creating employment opportunities, besides industrial growth.
Source: APP