Karachi, Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party, has sharply criticized the government’s current strategies for addressing tax evasion, suggesting that they inadequately target major offenders while oppressing the middle and lower classes.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor argued that despite efforts like blocking phone SIMs of tax evaders a move he supports the government’s broader approach is flawed. He highlighted the resistance from the “black economy mafia bosses” and the need for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to undergo a significant overhaul to remove corrupt officers who protect major tax evaders.
Shakoor emphasized the urgent need for courts to expedite the resolution of pending tax cases, which involve litigations worth billions of rupees. He also criticized the selective pressure on the salaried class and the relative ease with which higher earners evade taxes. The chairman lamented the indirect tax burden on poorer populations and the relief afforded to the elites.
Further addressing the systemic issues, Shakoor suggested employing artificial intelligence to enhance tax collection, leveraging extensive financial data held by the FBR and the State Bank of Pakistan. He decried the political protection afforded to major tax evaders, including some who hold positions within legislative bodies, undermining efforts to expand tax collection.
The PDP leader concluded by calling for an end to the hypocrisy in handling corruption, advocating for a more equitable approach to prosecuting offenders across the socioeconomic spectrum to truly address the root causes of fiscal discrepancies in Pakistan.