Member of Parliament Ahmed Shaheed warned the caretaker government on Monday against continuing to impose, expand, or double taxes on citizens, stressing the importance of fair tax policies that take citizens’ income levels into account.
Shaheed told the Information Agency that taxes imposed on goods and merchandise are ultimately paid by citizens, as traders pass these costs directly onto consumers through higher prices. He explained that tax increases are not limited to imported goods, but also affect transactions with ministries and government departments.
He warned against continuing to introduce new taxes or increasing existing ones, particularly those related to essential items such as medicine and food. Shaheed emphasized that the caretaker government should focus on improving the living and economic conditions of citizens rather than placing additional financial burdens on them through poorly planned fiscal measures.
He added that imposing higher taxes during a caretaker period contradicts the government’s responsibility to protect citizens’ livelihoods.
It is worth noting that the caretaker government began doubling several taxes at the beginning of this year, which has contributed to a slowdown in markets due to sharp increases in the prices of goods and commodities.
