LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Finance Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht on Friday said the Punjab government's new tax reforms would surely raise the confidence of the masses on their government.
The minister expressed these views while addressing the completion ceremony of the 4th Internship Programme of Punjab Revenue Authority.
He said, "I must appreciate Punjab Revenue Authority which has taken the lead over many other organizations in introducing such a wonderful internship programs."
Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht said that the circle of accountability would not merely be extended to those who did not pay tax but also government would be held responsible for every penny which would be spent.
Progressive system of tax collection would automatically urge the business community to pay their taxes, he said.
He said, "Nobody will be charged unjust tax and the youth was indeed our real strength in New Pakistan." He further said, "I just hope that the interns, who has completed their internship in PRA will be able to convince their communities that paying tax is their moral duty and will play the true role of true ambassadors for the government of Punjab. We just need hope for a progressive Pakistan and our youth is 'The Hope'."
These programmes were not only necessary for the development of trained workforce but they also help spread a soft image of the tax collecting agencies which was the need of the hour, he said.
The Minister said the new government was going to strengthening the institutions for a stronger Pakistan. He congratulated the students on their passing out.
Chairman Punjab Revenue Raheel Ahmed Siddiqi in his address said that the Internship Program had been a part of PRA's Youth Engagement Programme since 2017 and ever since they had been conducting one batch each for junior and senior students.
He further said that PRA, being a tax collecting authority had always tried to find new ways to spread tax awareness amongst the general public and one of their most successful measures had been the Internship Program, as these youngsters represented the future of the country and were PRA's
tax ambassadors.
Member Operations Javaid Ahmed also addressed the ceremony and announced cash gift of 20 and 16 thousands rupees for first and second position holders of documentary competition during the course.
Certificates were also distributed among the graduates by the Minister.
APP