Declare wealth or face action, warns PM in video message

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called upon people to declare their financial assets within the country and abroad by June 30 or be ready for an indiscriminate action.

In a video message to the nation, PM Khan his administration has acquired necessary information about the assets of the citizens including their bank accounts, real estate and benami transactions and thus will not spare anyone who does not declare them.

“We have signed bilateral agreements with several countries on information-sharing and also have information received from the intelligence agencies,” Khan said.

The country’s total debt and liabilities has risen from  six trillion to 30 trillion rupees in the last one decade, he said and regretted that half of the amount collected from tax is being spent on the paying the debts of previous governments.

“Pakistanis are one of the ‘most charitable nations’ in the world, but they are also the least tax payers,” he noted.

He said a passion for the uplift of the country can revive the national economy currently facing challenges.

The Prime Minister called upon the nation to bring reformation within them, register to tax culture and take benefit from the Asset Declaration Scheme to make the country financially stable and strong.

He appealed the nation to fully avail the asset declaration scheme in order to help the country stand on its own feet and lift the people out of poverty.

The Assets Declaration Scheme was announced earlier this month by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh which allows citizens to declare assets including benami accounts and properties to get proper legalization.