Progressive Group, a representative platform of traders and industrialists, on Monday launched a campaign to win respect for taxpayers and convince the government to devise a simple and easy taxation system to enhance the tax net. Progressive Group President Khalid Usman in a letter to the Prime Minister and other political leaders said Pakistan's tax system was very complicated and unfriendly towards the businessmen. He said that numerous tax amnesty schemes were introduced during last 70 years but only 1.2 percent of 200 million people opted to join the tax net.

If the taxpayers are treated with dignity and honour, they would not only be ready to join the tax net rather ask others to do the same. He said the business community should be taken on board for consultation while drafting tax policy and bureaucracy should be asked to be friendly towards taxpayers. He said priority counters should be set up at police stations and courts for the taxpayers.

Usman also called for including taxpaying businessmen in foreign tours while the President and all the four governors should invite 2000 businessmen on tea every month which would boost their esteem. These taxpayers should be treated preferentially at airports, cinema houses or public places. He said though such counters have already been established but they are not functioning practically, he pointed out.

The Progressive Group's leader also said that taxpayers should have a 25 percent quota in national civil awards. He also suggested that only the taxpayers should be allowed to hold public office to encourage tax culture.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017