Reformed GST must for Pak economy's survival, growth: UK

Islamabad, Nov 18 (ANI): The United Kingdom has declared that the imposition of the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) in Pakistan is indispensable for the survival and growth of the country's economy.

Talking to Geo News in Islamabad, UK's Minister for Global Development Andrew Mitchell said that the donors could never come forward to extend financial assistance unless the well-off segment in Pakistan is made to pay taxes.

"Those who aid, also want its correct utilization," Mitchell maintained.

Mitchell also said that Pakistanis would find the UK leading other donors in extending aid to flood-hit people and in providing necessities for structural rehabilitation of flood-ravaged areas in the country.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, has said that the RGST, which is aimed at broadening the taxation net base, would not affect lives of the common people but help generate revenues from the tax evaders.

Kaira said that all chief ministers supported the draft bill for legislation on implementation of Reformed GST during the recent meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI).

He said that the government had held consultations with the provincial governments, therefore the impression given by some elements that the bill was being bulldozed was not correct. (ANI)