Staff Reporter
A peaceful walkathon, HumQadm, was arranged by Behtar Pakistan, a think tank, to create awareness against the tax evasion especially in the cigarettes industry.
This walkathon was from the Bus Chowk to the Express Chowk on Jinnah Avenue. Participants were made aware of how illicit cigarette manufacturers evade taxes and annually cost the national exchequer billions.
Celebrities including politicians, showbiz stars, media, civil society along with the general public from all walks of life took part in this awareness walk against the blatant violations minimum price and tax laws by local illicit manufacturers and actively voiced their concerns over the need to plug this huge tax evasion.
Organizers of this walk stressed that the annual Rs 70+ billion loss to the national exchequer must be corrected by strengthening enforcement efforts and proper check and balance must be ensured. Minimum price and tax violators must be brought to justice.
