Fair, Balanced Taxation Vital To Sustainable Economic Growth: Iftikhar Malik

Umer Jamshaid Published July 20, 2025 | 04:00 PM

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2025) SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Iftikhar Ali Malik has called for fair, balanced, and growth-oriented taxation policies that reflect the country’s economic realities.

In a statement issued on Sunday, he said that taxation should not be viewed solely as a means to fill government coffers but as a strategic tool to stimulate economic growth, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure long-term national prosperity. He cautioned that excessive taxation without meaningful consultation with stakeholders stifles economic development. “When small and medium enterprises, the backbone of any thriving economy, are burdened with crippling taxes, it leads to stagnation rather than progress,” he remarked.

He said he is not opposed to taxation, but advocates for a system that is equitable, supportive, and sustainable. “Governments must act as enablers of economic opportunity, not as barriers to growth,” he added.

He urged policymakers to revise outdated tax policies, actively engage stakeholders in policy formulation, and align tax regimes with ground realities. “Only then can we build a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient economy, one that empowers the people, supports innovation, and drives national progress,” he concluded.