LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed immediate registration of all restaurants and marriage halls in the province in a bid to expand the tax base without increasing tax rates, according to a statement issued Monday.
Presiding over a high-level meeting, the chief minister rejected proposals for any new tax hikes, instead emphasizing the need to bring more businesses into the formal economy. She stressed that already registered businesses should not be penalized, while unregistered establishments and tax evaders must face strict action.
Maryam Nawaz pointed out the imbalance in the current system, where individuals earning modest incomes pay regular taxes while wealthier entities often avoid them. She said efforts must now focus on identifying revenue sources without burdening the common citizen.
She directed the Punjab Revenue Authority, Mines & Minerals Department, and other relevant bodies to swiftly begin the registration campaign, covering both small and large-scale eateries and event venues. The initiative aims to improve business compliance and financial accountability.
In a related development, the Punjab CM had earlier ordered a reduction in roti prices in response to falling flour rates. She instructed authorities to ensure that the benefit of reduced input costs reaches consumers.
Maryam Nawaz also called for strict monitoring of prices for essential items such as chicken, vegetables, and pulses to mitigate inflation’s impact on low-income households.
