News stated that Shehzad Roy, a social activist and singer from Pakistan, expressed gratitude to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for eliminating sales taxes from books in the federal Budget 2024–25.
Speaking up has an impact. Regarding his efforts in the sphere of education and requests to the government authorities, the social activist remarked, “Earlier, it (speaking up) was feared, but now it is fearful if (we) don’t speak.”
“We should all speak up and raise our voices,” he continued.
Roy had reported the day before that he had received an assurance from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the federal budget 2024–25 would reevaluate the decision to impose a 10% sales tax on books.
He also insisted that taxes be removed from books and that the government continue to restore taxes.
He said on Monday that he had also appealed to Ahsan Iqbal, the Planning Minister, and the Premier to reinstate the 25% tax discount for teachers on X, the platform that was once known as Twitter.
Roy wrote, “They both assured me that they will reevaluate this decision with a favorable outcome.”
Earlier today, the finance minister told the National Assembly that stationery will continue to be tax-free.
