The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has sharply criticized the government’s decision to award a huge sales tax exemption on sugar imports, calling it anti-people and intended to benefit a privileged few.
The sales tax on the import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar has been reduced from 18% to merely 0.25%, according to official papers. Additionally, the private sector is no longer subject to the 3% value-added tax. The PAC demanded explanations after the tax relief was provided in a recent FBR notification.
Committee member Riaz Fatyana vehemently opposed the decision during the PAC meeting, referring to it as a “bloodbath to reward favoured individuals.”
“We’ll import 500 metric tons of sugar.”
