Rawalpindi: The 12th All Pakistan Chambers President’s Conference on Thursday requested the government to reduce the nationwide sales tax to 5%, according to a news source. This event was organised by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
In a public statement, RCCI President Saboor Malik revealed that over 47 chamber presidents from all over Pakistan had attended the meeting via video link.
The conference adopted a declaration demanding that the sales tax should be decreased from 17% to 5%, and that the interest rate should be reduced to 4%. This declaration reiterated that all kinds of income should be taxed, and that the government should focus on adding people to the tax net — instead of increasing the burden on existing taxpayers. The chamber presidents also stated that the concessions offered to the construction sector should be extended to other sectors as well.
Reportedly, during the conference, the attendees also issued additional requests. These included proposed changes in the definition of cottage industries and exempting them from sales tax; giving the healthcare and education sectors industry status; and creating a special COVID-19 concession package for women.
