PM Shehbaz directs an inquiry over the levy of increased sales tax ratio on shopkeepers & retailers in electricity bills

LAHORE, August 20 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to immediately suspend the collection of fixed sales tax through electricity bills from small traders and devise a new road map for tax collection.

Presiding over a meeting in Lahore on Saturday, PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed an inquiry over the levy of increased sales tax ratio on shopkeepers and retailers in the electricity bills.

The Prime Minister said the representatives of the traders should be taken on board while making any decision on tax collection through electricity bills from the shopkeepers.

Reiterating his commitment to take all possible measures for the financial security of the poor, Shehbaz Sharif directed all relevant ministries and authorities to immediately finalize an effective mechanism to reduce electricity rates to provide relief to the people.

Meanwhile in a statement issued on twitter on Saturday PM Shehbaz Sharif said that PAF pilot Rashid Minhas, youngest recipient of Nishan-i-Haider, laid down his life in the line of duty this day 51 years ago. His was an act of valour and courage that symbolises selfless commitment of our Air Force officers to Motherland, PM Shehbaz Sharif said. “He will always live in our nation’s heart” PM Shehbaz Sharif said.