Islamabad: On Tuesday, the Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh stated that the government is making efforts to avoid adding undue burden on existing tax payers, a news source reported. This statement was issued before the upcoming staff mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) planned for November 6. The IMF will present their USD 6 billion support package to the standing committees of both houses of parliament.
Shaikh told the media that the country’s economic conditions were stabilizing, owing to the corrective policies implemented by the government. He added that the delegation of the IMF was reviewing Pakistan’s quarterly economic performance and had so far been impressed by the progress being made. Members of the delegation had expressed their confidence in the policies of the government, especially those centred around increasing revenues and decreasing expenditures.
The adviser reassured people that the government was working on ways to strengthen the tax collection infrastructure while not placing the current tax payers under undue pressure. He also issued a statement to the IMF saying that the government was dedicated to implementing the suggestions and policies of the international fund.
This is the first time that an IMF mission will be engaging with the finance committees of both houses of parliament in Pakistan. Previously, representatives would only engage with the National Assembly or selective members of both houses.
