News Desk |
The Federal Board of Revenue has urged Pakistani artists and entertainers to declare their assets under the ongoing asset declaration drive by the government of Pakistan. Artists are warned of strict action if they fail to comply with the new guidelines set by FBR.
FBR organized a seminar in Karachi to raise awareness on the amnesty scheme launched by the government. Notable figures from Pakistan’s entertainment industry including model Nadia Hussain, Urwa Hocane, Farhan Saeed, and Zeba Shehnaz attended the session.
The seminar was held in Karachi’s tax regional office. The awareness session briefed the showbiz personalities about the advantages of the tax amnesty scheme, its procedures, the rate of tax and, fines.
Actress Nadia stated that artists are paid money after tax deduction and there is a great difficulty in obtaining tax challans since artist works with several institutions all over the country.
In-Land Revenue Chief commissioner Badruddin Ahmed Qureshi and his team answered the questions raised by showbiz personalities. Qureshi said FBR has signed an agreement for the exchange of information regarding the properties and the bank account information with 28 countries. The government of Pakistan has also initiated the bilateral exchange of information with 20 countries.
The representatives of FBR further informed that the government is in the process of signing agreements with other 71 countries and by the next year the number will increase to 100.
Badruddin Qureshi said after these agreements the tax evaders and people hiding their assets will be punished abroad and in Pakistan. He assured the showbiz personalities that the details of the assets declared under the amnesty scheme will remain confidential and even he cannot access them. He said even the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) could not question the declared assets.
Read more: FBR summons Saba Qamar for tax evasion
The showbiz personalities complained that some lawyers conspire with the FBR to blackmail taxpayers. Actress Nadia stated that artists are paid money after tax deduction and there is a great difficulty in obtaining tax challans since artist works with several institutions all over the country.
They also pointed out that FBR chases only junior artists and not the influential people for tax evasion. The artists, however, demanded to make the tax system easy for them.
Meanwhile, Urwa Hocane shared her thoughts on Twitter.
Honoured to have joined Chief Commissioner Badruddin & Deputy Commisioner Shazia at FBR to raise awareness on Taxation & #DeclarationAssetsOrdinance2019 Glad to see the competent #FBR team working their best to improve Pakistan economy & glad to play my part too #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/FhRMWtYBLm
— URWA TUL WUSQUA HOCANE (@VJURWA) June 25, 2019