DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced plans to introduce a cash reward system for individuals who report or identify tax fraud in the province, while maintaining their anonymity.
According to an official handout, the initiative aimed at encouraging public whistleblowers to come forward and assist in combating tax evasion and fraud in the province.
Advisor to the Chief Minister for Finance, Muzammil Aslam, revealed that regulations to provide legal cover for the reward system were in the final stages of development and will be implemented soon.
During his visit to the KP Revenue Authority (KPRA) headquarters, Aslam emphasized that strict action will be taken against those found guilty of tax fraud or evasion based on citizens’ reports.
The KP government will offer a cash prize to individuals who report tax fraud, with the amount to be decided shortly.
This move was part of efforts to engage citizens in the fight against tax evasion and fraud, and to promote transparency and accountability in the province’s tax system.
Director General of KPRA, Fouzia Iqbal, welcomed the Advisor with a bouquet and, along with her team, provided a detailed presentation on KPRA’s revenue collection for the first two months of the ongoing financial year.
The KPRA has been given a revenue target of Rs 47 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25, which is approximately 34pc higher than last year’s target of Rs. 35 billion.
The Advisor was informed that KPRA collected Rs 7.17 billion in the first two months of the current financial year, reflecting a 45pc growth compared to the same period last year.
The Advisor praised the efforts of the KPRA team and emphasized the importance of focusing on this year’s revenue target.
“I am confident that your team will not only achieve the target but surpass it by a significant margin,” he said while addressing the DG KPRA.
He also advised KPRA officers to concentrate on large taxpayers rather than spending time on small businesses.
Furthermore, he suggested that KPRA should begin sharing data with revenue authorities in other provinces and develop mechanisms for such cooperation.
At the end of the visit, Mr Muzammil Aslam also planted a sapling in the lawn of KPRA headquarter as part of the plantation campaign.
