Past budgets were 'festivals of spending': Commerce adviser
He pledged that the upcoming budget would be target-oriented, fair, and implementable
Highlights:
- The adviser cautioned against setting unrealistic revenue targets for the NBR
- He called for responsible budget proposals to ensure effective implementation
- Tax justice is essential to prevent social unrest
- He condemned the politicisation of business
Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin criticised past budgets, characterising them as "festivals of spending" marked by excessive and unnecessary expenditures across ministries.
"The upcoming budget would be target-oriented, fair, and implementable, avoiding the previous pattern of wasteful spending," he said at the 45th meeting of the Consultative Committee of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) held at a city hotel today (30 April).
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He further addressed the issue of revenue collection, stating that the NBR should not be burdened with unrealistic targets that lead to mass-rate taxation.
The adviser emphasised the need for responsible proposals that can be effectively implemented.
He also highlighted the importance of tax justice, warning that its absence leads to social unrest.
"We have seen time and again that certain corrupt individuals come to power and create an anarchic environment. At times, it is even embarrassing to be identified as a businessman," he said.
He added, "In the previous regime, some businesspeople institutionalised corruption through their political positions."
