Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday launched a new mobile application for retailers, unveiling a simplified and optional tax scheme for small shopkeepers as part of a broader push to bring transparency to economy through digital technology.
Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad, Aurangzeb said shopkeepers would not be forced into the new scheme and could continue operating under the existing tax regime if they preferred.
He said the government had introduced several key changes to the scheme and drawn a clear line between small shopkeepers and larger business categories, so no segment of the trading community would feel unfairly burdened compared to others.
The minister said no single class of society could be sidelined while running the affairs, and that providing an easy and efficient system to a population of 25 to 26 crore people was among the governments foremost responsibilities.
He said the consultative process around the budget scheme was being strengthened to ensure policies reflected the needs of different sectors and segments of society.
Aurangzeb urged shopkeepers to enroll in the new scheme and take full advantage of it, cautioning that those who failed to do so would face necessary action going forward.
He said the aim was to bring every business class into the national tax net and ensure broad participation across the tax system, adding that cooperation from relevant stakeholders would be key to the schemes success.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani also addressed the conference, congratulating the trader community and crediting them for shaping the scheme through consultation and guidance. He said the plan was finalised after extensive discussion with traders and was formally launched for implementation on Wednesday.
Kayani noted that the scheme was first announced on June 5 at a ceremony chaired by the finance minister, with groundwork for its rollout beginning soon after the federal budget was presented earlier this year.
