Connect with us

Business

Caretaker govt plans to tax retailers; scheme likely to become effective from Jan 15

Published

on

  • Govt has finalised tax scheme including its media campaign.
  • Likely to become effective from January 15, 2024.
  • Tax payments can be made through Jazz Cash, Easypaisa. 

ISLAMABAD: After IMF’s rejection of introducing any fixed scheme for retailers, the caretaker government has finalised the ‘Tax Asaan Application’ for collecting tax from small shopkeepers based on the valuation of each shop determined by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Top official sources confirmed to The News on Monday that the retailers’ scheme was almost finalised and now the caretaker government would grant permission to launch this scheme before the completion of its stipulated timeframe. 

It is expected that this scheme is likely to become effective from January 15, 2024. 

In the past, every scheme to bring millions of retailers met with failure but it remains to be seen how the caretaker government is going to implement this scheme.

According to the salient features of the upcoming scheme for retailers, the government has identified 16 points which will be included in the scheme.

The list includes small traders shopkeepers, service providers, franchise stores, medical practitioners, hospitals, educational institutions, health clubs, saloons, marriage halls, boutiques, tailoring shops, designers, interior designers, event managers, legal practitioners, travel agents, restaurants, tea houses and pakwan centres etc.

The official sources said that the valuation of the shop determined by the FBR would be used for the imposition of tax.

The government will introduce an easy instalment plan of up to 12 instalments and 25% tax relief for newly registered persons. There will be relief from the burden of tax payments at the end of the year. 

There will be hassle-free tax payments through Jazz Cash, Easypaisa, etc and there will be no fee for consultants due to “The Tax Assan App. The tax would be paid on the 15th of every month.

The caretaker government, according to the sources, does not need any new law that requires promulgation of an ordinance or waiting for the new assemblies to enact amendments in the tax laws for imposing fresh tax scheme for retailers as under the existing law approved by the parliament the FBR is already empowered to introduce a scheme for retailers under section 99C, 99B of Income Tax law.

It is not yet known whether the caretaker government would prefer to face the pressure of shopkeepers or abandon the implementation of its plans to bring all sectors into the tax net. 

The sources said that the salient features of the proposed scheme for small shopkeepers are almost finalised including its media campaign and can be launched after approval from the caretakers.

Business

With its second-largest surge ever, PSX approaches 114,000 points.

Published

on

By

Driven by renewed activity from both private and government financial institutions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw its second-largest rally in history on Monday.

The market regained many important levels in a single trading session as it rose with previously unheard-of momentum.

Intraday trading saw a top increase of 4,676 points, and the PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 4,411 points to settle at 113,924 points. This impressive rebound demonstrated significant investor confidence by reestablishing the 100,000, 111,000, 112,000, and 113,000-point levels.

The market also saw the 114,000-point limit reestablished during the trading session.

The positive tendency was reflected when the market’s heavyweight shares touched its upper circuits. Among the most busiest trading sessions in recent memory, an astounding 85.78 billion shares worth a total of Rs55 billion were exchanged.

Experts credited the spike to heightened institutional investor activity and hope for macroeconomic recovery. Considered a major market recovery, the rally demonstrated the market’s tenacity and development potential.

Continue Reading

Business

In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

Published

on

By

In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

Continue Reading

Business

Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

Published

on

By

The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.

Continue Reading

Trending