PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has received intense criticism for supposedly directing Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on economic policy matters.
Maryam Nawaz on Twitter asked Finance Minister Miftah Ismail to resolve the issues of the traders as they are very worried about the tax on electricity.
“Miftah Bhai, withdraw tax on the electricity bill, businessmen are worried and complaining. Hope you find a solution,” Maryam Nawaz tweeted.
مفتاح بھائی @MiftahIsmail بجلی کے بِل پر ٹیکس واپس لیں، تاجر بھائی پریشان ہیں اور شکوہ کر رہے ہیں۔ امید ہے آپ کوئی حل نکالیں گے۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 31, 2022
Later, she tweeted again claiming that Miftah Ismail had assured her of resolving the issues of the traders. In her tweet, Maryam Nawaz said that Miftah will sit with the traders today (Monday) and find a solution to their complete satisfaction “Insha’ Allah.”
Read more: Watch: Shahbaz Gill teases Maryam Nawaz over her eid greetings when petrol was Rs118
Miftah Ismail, while retweeting Maryam Nawaz, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed him to make sure that small traders are satisfied with the new tax law.
2. A) Exempt shops with bills of less than 150 units from this tax. B) We will charge Rs 3000 even to those shopkeepers who are not registered with FBR. C) The tax paid will be full and final. D) No tax notice will be issued to shops nor will FBR officers visit their shops.
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) July 31, 2022
Needless to say, the exchange between the two PML-N leaders sparked criticism from netizens who questioned Maryam Nawaz’s authority for directing a federal minister on the country’s economic matters. To clarify, Maryam Nawaz holds no public office.
And in what capacity he is following ur orders?
یہ پاکستان کا وزیر خزانہ ہے یا شریف خاندان کا پالتو جو ہر بار مالکوں کے بلانے پر ہی دم ہلاتا آتا ہے
آپ ہیں کون ان سے بات کرنے والی
انکو مہنگائ سے بلبلاتی عوام اپکی انکھ سے دیکھنے کی ضرورت کیوں پیس ارہی ہے— Simm (@Cast_Awayyyy) July 31, 2022
Three key issues.
1. Decisions made in the budget must be respected and this fixed tax is a good idea to document economy.
2. Traders should not be seen as preferred class over other taxpayers.
3. Such advice to economic managers from party leadership has bad optics.
— Najam Ali (@NajamAli2020) August 1, 2022
In which capacity, you can issue instructions to elected finance minister?
— Muhammad Asif (@bulblay8) July 31, 2022
Relief for shopkeepers
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Sunday announced relief in tax for shopkeepers who consume less than 150 units of electricity per month.
Addressing a press conference, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said that the government is seeking an annual tax of Rs36,000 from small shopkeepers and stressed that everyone will have to pay taxes. Miftah Ismail said the tax paid will be full and final and no tax notice will be issued to shopkeepers nor FBR officers will visit their shops.
“Industries, as well as bankers, would also have to pay taxes,” he said.
Read more: Miftah Ismail blames political turmoil as rupee falls to Rs225
Finance Minister said that another tax will come into force the next year. “Ten pct tax will be imposed on the companies that could not export 10 percent of their output,” he said.