Think tank calls for simplifying tax system

The newly formed Tax Reforms Commission — a joint venture of two state-run and private think tanks — on Monday called for a stable and predictable tax regime through simplification and harmonisation of the tax system instead of arbitrary budgetary measures targeted at revenue enhancement, to facilitate taxpayers and tax payments and build government trust. A joint report prepared by the commission comprising economists nominated by the state-run Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME) said the lenders prioritised revenue collection over growth and employment, but there were several flaws in the existing tax system.