logo
KMEDA urges govt to revisit ‘unjustified' taxes, duties

KMEDA urges govt to revisit ‘unjustified' taxes, duties

KARACHI: Karachi Mobile and Electronics Dealers Association (KMEDA) has presented key suggestions ahead of the budget 2025–26, urging for tax reforms on electronic items.
President of the KMEDA Minhaj Gulfam has put forward these proposals to the federal government. He urged the federal government to consider a substantial and immediate reduction in what he described as 'unjustified taxes and customs duties' on mobile phones, laptops, computer parts, tablets, and other electronic products.
Gulfam highlighted that the current fiscal year's high tax rates on electronic items have created serious challenges for the business community, as well as, for customers. 'These excessive duties have disrupted imports and caused a significant rise in retail prices, placing a heavy burden on consumers.'
He said that these products are essential in the digital era, playing a crucial role in education, employment, freelancing, online business, and the overall vision of a 'Digital Pakistan.' According to him, the existing tax regime is one of the main obstacles to growth in this sector. He asked the government review its tax policy in the upcoming budget and take meaningful steps to ease the financial pressure on both businesses and consumers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Maryam orders launch of innovative projects to promote education
Maryam orders launch of innovative projects to promote education

Business Recorder

time4 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Maryam orders launch of innovative projects to promote education

LAHORE 'If you study, you will grow,' said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif while directing the authorities concerned to start 'School on Wheels', 'Library on Wheels' and 'Mobile Library' projects for the promotion of education in the province. She said: 'School on Wheels will provide children in remote and difficult areas with the jewel of education. It will be built in an electric rickshaw; solar panels will be installed on the roof of rickshaw.' Teachers in 'School on Wheels' will install folding chairs under an umbrella-like canopy in a street, neighbourhood or town. Books will also be provided to children studying in School on Wheels. The Chief Minister said: 'School on Wheels will also have painting equipment for the interest of young children. Various educational toys will also be kept in 'School on Wheels' for the interest of young children.' She gave in-principle approval for the School on Wheels School Education. The School Education Department will also launch a 'Library on Wheels' project for children, which will go to different areas and provide opportunities for children to read books. Through 'Library on Wheels', children will also be provided with books other than the curriculum. It will be set up in a minivan decorated with cartoons. 'Library on Wheels' can be stationed in any field, ground or open space.' Maryam Nawaz Sharif reiterated: 'If you read, you will grow.' She added a mobile library project will also be launched. Chairs and tables will be available for children to sit in the mobile library located inside a latest bus. In addition to Urdu, English and science books, magazines will also be kept in the mobile library. Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat gave a detailed briefing about School on Wheels, Library on Wheels and other projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

SCF equips rural women with livestock, entrepreneurial skills
SCF equips rural women with livestock, entrepreneurial skills

Business Recorder

time5 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

SCF equips rural women with livestock, entrepreneurial skills

HYDERABAD: Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), with the support of Pathfinder International under the SURMI project, organized a two-day training workshop on Climate-Smart Livestock Management and Entrepreneurship Skills for 30 rural women from coastal districts of Sindh. The workshop aimed to equip selected women beneficiaries with practical knowledge and skills to enhance their resilience and livelihood opportunities in the face of climate change. On the first day, the training focused on various aspects of climate-smart livestock management, including disease prevention, vaccination animal care practices, habitat management, and adaptive strategies to cope with changing environmental conditions. The second day was dedicated to building the women's capacity in entrepreneurship and small-scale business development, particularly in the areas of livestock-based and home-based food security income-generating activities. These women have been identified under the project's livelihood component to receive support in initiating their own small-scale businesses. Ms. Hira Arain and Lateef Soomro facilitated the sessions as trainers, delivering technical and practical insights to the participants. A concluding ceremony was held and attended by M.B. Khaskheli, Cluster Coordinator, Pathfinder International; Javed Hussain, Executive Director, SCF; and Fayaz Wagan, Deputy Director, Livestock Department, Thatta and Humera Ali SCF. Speaking at the event, Fayaz Wagan, Deputy Director of the Livestock Department, Thatta, emphasized that women are the primary caretakers of livestock in rural areas. He stressed the need to raise awareness among women about modern techniques of livestock management, especially in the context of changing disease patterns due to climate change. He noted that vaccination, timely disease prevention, and proper animal care are essential for maintaining healthy livestock and ensuring sustained livelihoods. Javed Hussain, Executive Director of Sindh Community Foundation, stated that while Pakistan remains one of the leading producers of milk and meat, the livestock sector faces growing threats from climate-induced diseases and environmental stressors. He underlined the urgent need to promote climate-smart livestock practices to protect rural economies and strengthen national food security. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

PSMA urges govt to deregulate sugar industry
PSMA urges govt to deregulate sugar industry

Business Recorder

time5 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

PSMA urges govt to deregulate sugar industry

LAHORE: The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has urged the government to completely deregulate the industry. In a statement, a spokesman for the PSMA said the Association made this request during a general body meeting held today. It requested the federal government to consider deregulating the sugar sector, as has already been done by the provinces in the case of sugarcane. It said the sugar industry is the second largest agro-based industry in Pakistan after textiles. During the crushing season, it generates direct and indirect business activity worth Rs. 1,000 billion in agriculture, transport, allied industries, wholesale, and retail markets. It pays approximately Rs. 225 billion in direct and indirect taxes to federal, provincial, and local governments, and provides $4 billion worth of import substitution to the national economy. Pakistan-IMF talks on tax-free sugar import underway The industry utilizes indigenous energy by using bagasse, through which an allied steel industry has also been established. The generated power is exported to the national grid as well. With conducive policy interventions, an industrial chain using by-products of sugarcane could emerge, as has happened in many other countries. The use of ethanol in vehicles as fuel—similar to Brazil and India—could strengthen our national energy mix, which is heavily dependent on imported petroleum products. The Ethanol Blending Policy, formulated in Pakistan in 2009 and later discontinued, needs to be revived. The current potential of bio-ethanol is sufficient to replace 7% of the country's total gasoline consumption. Two very important agro-based sectors— rice and maize— are already deregulated, with rice exports alone fetching nearly $5 billion. There are no restrictions on the import and export of rice and maize in Pakistan. Both sectors operate on free-market principles and are functioning efficiently. Rice and maize growers receive international prices, which has encouraged investment in research and development, resulting in improved yields. In contrast, scant efforts have been made in Pakistan to develop new sugarcane varieties for improving yield and sucrose recovery. The government should adopt a permanent policy for the deregulation of the sugar sector so that it can continue contributing to the national economy through import substitution, increased business activity, employment generation, tax revenue, and substantial foreign exchange earnings from regular exports of surplus sugar. The sugar industry has advocated for deregulation in several meetings with the government, including the most recent Sugar Advisory Board meeting held on July 17, 2025. The formation of a committee by the federal government on the deregulation of the sugar sector is a welcome step, and it is hoped that—like other agricultural sectors—the sugar industry will be given the opportunity to realize its full potential for national development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store