Mini-Budget Neither Plan Nor Detailed Review Of Chronic Problem of Generating Revenue: Sherry Rehman

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman has criticized the PTI government's mini budget here on Thursday claiming that the mini budget was neither a plan nor a detailed review of the chronic problem of generating revenue.
Sherry took on to micro-blogging site twitter and shared her thoughts on the PTI government's mini-budget this morning. She tweeted:
"A not so mini budget -which is neither a plan nor a detailed review of the chronic problem of generating revenue. Business groups may be smiling but the taxation time bomb just acquired quantum speed. No idea of where the gaps will be financed, more debt?"
In another tweet Ms. Rehman was of the view that:
"The budget with a quiet amnesty clause for undeclared offshore wealth. No prizes for guessing who this will serve.. the Senate is still working."
It is pertinent to mention here that the Federal Government yesterday presented mini-budget, while the Finance Minister Asad Umar claimed that this was not a mini-budget being presented but rather a set of economic reforms. The finance minister asked what the previous government had left behind for the people of Pakistan.

"Two years ago, an economic situation began to develop when all economic experts started to say that danger bells are ringing. But instead, those in power did not pay heed, they thought the people were ignorant, and instead they conspired to 'buy' an election.”

Umar added that the deficit grew to Rs900 billion, asking who would fill this gap. “How will this gap be filled? Will it come from their Swiss accounts? No. That money is filled with money paid by the citizens.”

According to the finance minister, there were record losses in Steel Mills, Railways, and other institutions, and the opposition had left the country in debt of up to Rs2,500 to Rs3,000 billion.

The minister brought attention to the dangerously low level of exports. "Today exports are at 40 percent. Of the entire national output, exports were 14 percent and now they are just 7 percent of the economy.”

Umar said that, by the time of the next general elections, the PTI government would not need to ‘buy’ any elections because of their performance in improving the economy.  He claimed that by 2022, the country's growth rate will be at its highest and current account and fiscal deficits at their lowest in 15 years.

Salient features of the Bill:
Tax on agricultural loans to be reduced from 39% to 20%

To provide low-income housing, Rs5 billion revolving fund for interest-free loans (qarz-i-husna) to be introduced.

Withholding tax for filers on banking transactions will be eliminated to encourage the culture of paying taxes.

Non-filers will be able to purchase small and mid-size cars up to 1300CC, but the tax would be increased.

Tax has been decreased to Rs5000 for small wedding halls up to 500 square feet.

Pilot scheme to be introduced in Islamabad to facilitate traders in filing and paying taxes.
Duty on import of newsprint eliminated.

In the next five years, those working to manufacture renewable energy products will be exempt from sales tax and customs duty. Investment in solar panels, wind turbines exempt from duties and taxation for five years.

No tax on bids for sports franchises until profitability.

From July 1 super tax will be eliminated for non-banking companies.

Continuation of 1pc per annum reduction in corporate income tax.

Withholding tax on trading in the stock exchange to be removed.

Tax will be increased for vehicles over 1800CC

Tax for low priced phones will be decreased, will remain the same for expensive phones. 

Scheme to be introduced of promissory notes for exporters. Any exporter will be able to take loans from banks on these notes.

Duty on diesel engines for agricultural purposes decreased to five per cent.
No Gas Infrastructure Development Cess on fertiliser production