LAHORE:Federal committee member of the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee and President of the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party (HKP) Farooq Tariq has urged the federal government to reject the IMF proposal to increase the GST from 18 percent to 19 percent.
In a press statement, Farooq Tariq said the economic burden is already being borne by workers, peasants, salaried individuals, and low-income households while wealthy classes and large corporations continue to enjoy privileges.
He warned that raising GST to 19 percent would make Pakistan the highest-taxed country in South Asia in terms of sales tax, increasing the prices of essential items such as food, medicines, transport, and electricity, and leading to higher inflation, poverty, and inequality.
Tariq described GST as a regressive tax, stating that it affects both rich and poor at the same rate, placing a heavier burden on low-income groups.He also pointed out that despite a Supreme Court decision upholding the Super Tax on large corporations, around Rs300 billion remains unpaid by major companies, while the government plans to collect Rs250 billion from the public through the proposed GST increase.
He further opposed the imposition of sales tax on hybrid and electric vehicles, stating it would discourage environmentally friendly technology and worsen pollution.Tariq called for a fair and progressive tax system, urging the government to tax wealthy individuals and large corporations more effectively and reduce the GST rate instead of increasing it.
