The Reformed General Sales Tax is one of the hottest issues these days. Government, in any case, on the external pressure is quite determined to implement it, while on other hand private sector, opposition political parties and people from different segments of society are totally opposing its implementation because they fear that along with inflation, a number of other problems would emerge.
Media as usual is highlighting this issue widely and almost on every TV channel, people from government and Private Sector are invited to talk on this issue. Government speaks highly in its favour and wants to collect addition taxes with a pretext to run the wheel of the economy, though it has already greatly burdened the common man by gradually increasing electric, gas and petroleum tariffs.
A general perception has developed that RGST will erupt a new wave of high inflation and prices of a large number of daily use consumer items will go up. Government is of the opinion that it will broaden the tax net and impact of inflation will not be much, as perceived.
Everyone knows that initially government was planning to implement Value Added Tax (VAT), which on the pressure of people, could not be implemented. Later on VAT was changed to RGST but government is facing similar resistance in getting it approval from the parliament.
People are criticizing government on RGST issue and also in a very confused state of its impact. Actually government had considerable time, to discuss and spread awareness on RGST but it was not done.
Trade bodies could be used as discussion forums to create an atmosphere of trust on RGST issue. Also through media, mass awareness should have been spread to avoid the prevailing situation.
Electronic media must be used as an effective platform for giving information and knowledge to taxpayers. One thing is strongly felt that role of electronic media has been extremely weak in giving attention to economic journalism because TV channels only generate hot debates on issues and don’t focus to telecast awareness programs of important issues.
Not a single program has been telecasted on the collection mechanism of taxes and implementation of RGST. Now it is the need of the hour that economic journalism must be promoted to pass on right information to viewers on various economic issues. This approach will not only create awareness on different issues, but also help the government in taking right decision and making growth oriented policies for the sustainable development of Pakistan.
TV channel must change approach and avoid giving unnecessary air to issues just for the sake of taking lead from each other. Economic journalism must be promoted for bringing positive changes and spreading true and right information to people.
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