ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has on Monday directed to waive off unnecessary taxes on small shopkeepers and to not put them in undue trouble.
The premier held consultations with the chief ministers and the Pakistan Board of Investment while taking notice of the taxes that are collected in the name of inspection and unneeded certification.
Imran Khan ordered to remove taxes on 15 small businesses and directed the provincial chiefs to instruct the Local Government Commission that the regime cannot allow harassing the traders in the name of unnecessary certification.
The PM said it is our priority to provide peaceful atmosphere to small shopkeepers. Subsequently, the provincial governments decided to remove taxes on 15 small businesses and to wave off inspection clause from 74 different trades.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed outrage over the poor performance of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) during five years and summoned a report from the Finance Division.
PM Imran Khan chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad Monday to review the performance of CCP.
The premier expressed anger over the institution’s poor performance and ordered the Finance Division to present a detailed report regarding CCP’s decisions, investigations and its outcomes. He questioned for the details of recoveries and fines imposed by CCP.
The premier was briefed that CCP chairperson had been terminated from its position on October 4 last year, however, Ms Vadiyya Khalil is still holding the position following a court’s stay order.
PM Khan also expressed outrage over showing negligence in the proceedings of the case and directed to open an investigation by the Finance Division. He directed to immediately take steps for carrying out proceedings of the case besides spotting the responsible persons.
In December last year, the premier had expressed concerns over the role of Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) while chairing a federal cabinet meeting and ordered to make it an active institution. The members have been urged to further strengthen competition commission.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, from 21 to 23 January 2020.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, this would be the third leadership-level interaction between Pakistan and the US since the prime minister’s visit to Washington in July 2019.
The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with several other world leaders, while several meetings are also scheduled with a wide range of corporate, business, technology and finance executives, and representatives of international financial institutions.
PM Imran Khan will speak to senior international media persons and editors during a session with the Forum’s International Media Council. He will also give interviews to major international media outlets.
Throughout his engagements at Davos, Imran Khan will share Pakistan’s vision and achievements in the areas of economy, peace & stability, trade, business and investment opportunities. He will also highlight the current situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and international issues.
PM Imran Khan will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, from January 21 to 23, 2020 at the invitation of Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF. The thematic focus of this session is on “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Forum. In keeping with the significance of this milestone, political leaders, business executives, heads of international organizations and civil society representatives will deliberate on contemporary economic, geopolitical, social and environmental issues.
The foreign office statement said that two key highlights of the visit include the prime minister’s “Keynote Address” at the WEF Special Session, and his interaction at the “Pakistan Strategy Dialogue” with CEOs and Corporate leaders.
The premier’s trip to Davos, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) will cost US$68,000 which is far less than what had been spent by his predecessors.
Imran will reach Davos on Tuesday on a three-day official visit to attend the Forum. However, his trip will cost only US$68,000 due to austerity measures his government has taken.
Last month, the Press Information Department (PID) in a statement had said the PM’s three-day visit along with his delegation is estimated to cost the national exchequer $68,000. This is far less than what was spent by his predecessors. The visits of former Pakistani Prime
Ministers to Davos, including Nawaz Sharif, cost $762,000, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi $561,000 and Yousuf Raza Gilani $459,000.
Imran’s Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Zulfi Bukhari and other officials will also accompany in addition to officials from his government. – NNI