Restrictions on non-filers to continue, says Asad

islamabad — Finance Minister Asad Umar on Wednesday said that restrictions imposed in the Federal Budget on non-filers in purchasing property and vehicles would continue in the supplementary budget but with three exemptions.

Winding up debate on supplementary budget, the minister said recommendations forwarded by the Senate to the National Assembly to restrict non-filers from purchasing assets had been incorporated in the Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill, 2018 with three amendments. “I am thankful to the lawmakers for making recommendations, I accept the recommendations for restrictions on non-filers to purchase assets with some amendments.”

As per the amendments, he said, the overseas Pakistani sending their remittances through legal means would be allowed to acquire property and vehicles in Pakistan.

He said those purchasing vehicles of capacity less than 2000 CC would also be exempted from this restriction. Fine would be imposed on non-filers who buy property or vehicle.

The minister said that General Sales Tax (GST) and regulatory duty had been reduced from 30 per cent to 10 per cent to facilitate the poor segment of society.

“The poor people are using wood, LNG and we have decided to slash the duty and regulatory duty on the import of LNG from 30 per cent to 10 per cent,” he added. Asad clarified that the supplementary budgetary proposals would be effective from July 1 this year. He said that the government had launched a campaign against non-filers and about 169 non-filers had been issued notices. “The number will be increased to thousand in the coming days,” he added.

He warned non-filers to file their tax returns; otherwise the government would take strict action.

“I assured the nation that their money will not go abroad, let’s join hands for the development, progress and prosperity of the country,” he added. —