The decision will not reduce the revenue projected to be Rs 72 billion but increase it due to voluntary compliance, Chairman UBG Iftikhar Ali Malik, Patron-in-Chief SM Muneer, Central Spokesman Zubair Tufail and Chief Co-ordinator Malik Sohail. Said on Tuesday. In a joint statement they said Punjab had imposed 16 percent GST on eleven undocumented service sectors one and a half years back which has now been reduced.
These sectors include laundries, drycleaners, fitness clubs, beauty salons, hair cutting saloons, beauty shops, hotels, motels, guest houses, shopping plazas, travel agents, accountants, auditors, tax consultants, workshops, showrooms, car dealers, property dealers and developers etc. The UBG leaders also asked the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to waive 19.5 percent tax on broadband services and mobile internet as it is discouraging the spread of internet which is essential for development.
KP holds 10.5 percent share in national GDP while share of internet subscribers in 12 percent of the national average which must not be discouraged. Internet penetration can benefit sectors like education, e-commerce,-e-learning, e-health and small businesses therefore the provincial government should reconsider the decision, they demanded.