ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday announced a comprehensive reforms package to encourage business and investment opportunities in the country. In addition, the premier also announced to establish PM Business Advisory Council which would exclusively deal with the issues confronting the agriculture sector of the country.
The prime minister made these announcements while addressing a gathering of businessmen and industrialists at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad on Thursday.
Sharif said the Business Advisory Council would meet quarterly to debate the issues and ideas to enhance business activity and attract foreign investment to the country.
The prime minister also announced various incentives for the highest taxpayers of the country as well as those bringing themselves voluntarily under the tax net.
Nawaz Sharif said the government would issue Privilege Cards to 400 highest taxpayers to entitle them for VIP airport lounge, fast track clearance, gratis passport and baggage allowance worth $5,000. Moreover, they would also be given excellence awards and he would also host a reception in their honor, he said.
The premier also announced the exemption from any investigation about the income sources for those who would invest in construction, livestock, captive power plants, Thar Coal and mining in Balochistan.
However, the industries including arms, explosives, fertilizers, sugar, cigarettes, beverages, spinning, flour, ghee and cooking oil would not be eligible to avail this offer.
Nawaz Sharif said anyone paying 25 percent more tax than the previous year would be given exemption from detailed audit and also extended the last date for filing of tax returns till December 15, 2013.
The prime minister announced exemption from penalties, default surcharge and detailed audit for those bringing them themselves voluntarily under tax net as well as the first-time tax payers.
Moreover, he told businessmen and industrialists that the government has also exempted the tax payers from Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) access to bank accounts.
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PM Business Advisory Council
Privilege Cards
PM announces comprehensive reforms package