Strong economy strengthens defence: Sharif

Islamabad - Prime Minister urged traders to pay taxes transparently to boost national economy.

Launching the Voluntary Tax Compliance scheme here on Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged the business community to pay taxes transparently for greater development and prosperity.
He urged traders to pay taxes transparently to boost national economy saying that strong economy would strengthen our armed forces for country's defence.
The compliance scheme aims to register non-filer traders and regulate the undocumented economy.
Sharif explained to traders that collecting more taxes can help build a stronger economy, reduce unemployment and poverty, attract more investment and fortify the country in the fight against terrorism.
The premier told traders the government has taken steps towards resolving issues such as the restoration of law and order in the country and counter terrorism.
"Peace in Karachi is necessary for peace in the entire country," he said. "The government is taking steps to reform sectors including health, education and road links as well," he said
Sharif said the government believes in resolving the issues with understanding and consultation. He said this spirit will take the country forward on the path of progress and prosperity.
The premier said the situation in the country has improved in comparison with the state of affairs 3-4 years ago. "Economic reforms have yielded positive results and economic prosperity in the country will change the fate of the nation," he said.
Traders play an integral role in the development of economy, he said, adding that the government would provide support to traders in every way possible.
"The PML-N led government has stepped forward to deal with internal and external challenges while policies are being devised after consultation with the relevant stakeholders in this regard" in order to steer the country towards progress, Sharif said.
The government believes in resolving issues with mutual understanding and consultation, he told members of the business community. "This spirit will take the country forth on the path towards progress and prosperity."
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to further improve the draft Voluntary Tax Compliance scheme in order to attract maximum number of new taxpayers and achieve the aim of broadening the tax base.
With the start of the new year, provisional figures released on Tuesday showed the FBR's revenue collection exceeded the collection target by Rs20 billion to Rs770 billion for the second quarter (October-December) of the fiscal year.
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• Pakistan