Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Pakistan to press on with tax reforms after floods
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Email
Print
Reprints
Full Focus
Editor's choice
A selection of our best pictures from the past 24 hours. Full Article
Read
Low inflation rate bites millions of retirees
11:20am EDT
Wall St blames homeowners in foreclosure fiasco
14 Oct 2010
PREVIEW-Apple's earnings to showcase one-two punch
1:40pm EDT
Judge lets states' healthcare suit go forward
14 Oct 2010
Fuel to Paris reduced as French protests escalate
1:15pm EDT
Discussed
203
California governor debate turns into verbal brawl
93
U.S. judge allows states’ healthcare suit to proceed
80
U.S. is currency war’s ”tomb maker”: China economist
Watched
A fuel bringing Mars within range?
Thu, Oct 14 2010
Red faces over top model gaffe
Tue, Sep 28 2010
South Korean boyband TVXQ reunites
Wed, Oct 13 2010
Pakistan to press on with tax reforms after floods
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
Related News
Pakistan reforms needed for flood aid: World Bank
1:01pm EDT
Analysis & Opinion
USAID’s PR problem
Claiming Jinnah’s mantle: Musharraf joins the queue
Related Topics
World »
By Justyna Pawlak
BRUSSELS |
Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:02pm EDT
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Pakistan will press on with tax reforms which the United States considers vital for financing relief efforts after devastating floods, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this week it was absolutely unacceptable that Pakistan's wealthy were not paying more for flood relief and urged Islamabad to include tax improvements in democratic and economic reforms.
Speaking in Brussels after a conference on Pakistan, Qureshi said his government recognized the need to broaden the country's tax base and was building consensus for the issue.
"Regardless of what Hillary Clinton says, we are going to do what is right for Pakistan and I think the tax system has to be more equitable," he told reporters after meeting officials from the European Union, the United States and other countries.
"We have to correct that," he said.
The floods caused $9.5 billion in damage to property, crops and infrastructure, according to the Asian Development Bank and World Bank. Finance ministry officials say the government may face total recovery costs of $30 billion.
But U.S. officials have said Pakistan's economic reforms, linked to the release of the next tranche of an $11 billion International Monetary Fund bailout program, are not moving fast enough.
Adnan Mazarei, the IMF's mission chief for Pakistan, has said the country's taxation system is "very unfair and inequitable" because the rich often avoid paying taxes.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton reiterated the need for more change in Pakistan but said she trusted Islamabad was taking the concerns seriously.
"It's been part and parcel underpinning the dialogue," she said after Friday's meeting.
The United States has also voiced concern that Pakistan's fight against Islamist militants inside its borders, which Washington sees as essential in the wider U.S.-led war against the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, may suffer as resources and official attention are diverted by the flood disaster.
"Pakistan is under extraordinary pressures, internal and external," Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, told reporters in Brussels.
But he added: "The U.S. government is under tremendous pressure, the EU is under budget pressure, we have our own infrastructure problems ... We will help Pakistan but we cannot do everything in the reconstruction phase."
Pakistan's tax-to-GDP ratio is about 10 percent, one of the lowest in the world.
The floods, which began in July, left more than 10 million people homeless in Pakistan. They devastated the country's economy, already fragile before the disaster.
World
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Analyst Research
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Reuters on Facebook
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Saturday, 16 October 2010 Google shares surge on strong earnings
Sarkozy sends in riot police to break fuel blockade
Dutch prosecutors seek acquittal of anti-Islam MP
|
US deficit shrinks nearly nine percent in fiscal 2010
Italy's Enel Green Power to float on Monday
US-TECH Summary
"Grey's Anatomy" Debuts New "Seattle Grace: Message Of Hope" Webisodes
NESV seal acrimonious Liverpool takeover
Derek Hough Talks "Demolition Dancing" On "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
Nigeria militants threaten new bomb attack in Abuja
|
US Fed ramps up talk of intervention to salvage recovery
Pentagon bracing for release of 400,000 secret Iraq reports
Miller, Murkowski Deadlocked In Alaska Poll
Pakistan to press on with tax reforms after floods
|
U.S. Retail Sales Rise 0.6 Percent In September
New Israeli settlement plan sparks Palestinian fury
Ecuador cave-in traps four miners
|
India seeks 'cool jacket' design to help hot labourers
Ratan Tata Donates "Historic Gift" To Alma Mater Harvard
GM Recalls 303,100 Impalas Over Front Seat Belt Problems
New York Times releases free -- for now -- iPad app
October Annually Most Dangerous Month for Teen Drivers
Petraeus disturbed by confusion over hostage death
|
$250 Payments Would Sub For Lack Of COLA
Faulty Foreclosure Paperwork Mess Might Cost Banks Billions
Russian firms say not responsible for web piracy
South Sudan tries to assure China on oil investments
Jesse Ventura Talks 9/11, JFK As "Conspiracy Theory" Second Season Premieres
Swedish Pirate Bay appeals trial wraps up
Pakistan told to shape up in exchange for aid
HP hires Nokia exec to run mobile software
US drone strike kills three in Pakistan: officials
Non-retail video game sales hit $2.9 billion
N.Korea repeats threat to shell S.Korea propaganda sites
HP hires Nokia exec to run mobile software
Djokovic, Federer storm into Shanghai tennis semis
Thailand's Red Shirts plan mass weekend rally
Mekong countries should delay dam projects for decade: study
Apple's earnings to showcase one-two punch
|
Malaria stalks Myanmar's poor as healthcare crumbles
Aussie hits parity with US dollar
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Actor Vince Vaughn defends "gay" joke in movie
Author Leonard dislikes eBooks, still loves movies
After industry, Germany exports lifestyle to China
Chinese artist's 'seeds' deemed London gallery health risk
Liza Minnelli cancels concerts due to pneumonia
Altered images depict horrors of pollution
Richards: Mick Jagger was "unbearable"
China, Greece to launch joint bid for logistics site contract
King of Pop shows new face in unseen photos
IMF sets central bank meeting in Shanghai Monday
Mitsubishi mulls higher Thai plant output amid strong yen
Airbus pitches A380 for Japan's busy domestic market
Japan central bank chief warns of delayed recovery
Japan pulls out of Iran's biggest onshore oil project
Fishing, kayaking Sarah Palin debuts TV show trailer
|
India's Infosys' profits jump on improved tech spending
Roc-a-Fella Records founder charged in drug case
|
HSBC scraps talks over Nedbank purchase
Actor Vince Vaughn defends gay joke in movie
|
Skating with the Stars hits the ice on U.S. TV
|
G20 host S.Korea: protectionism is top concern
Prince announces Welcome 2 America tour
|
Liza Minnelli cancels concerts due to pneumonia
|
Leif Garrett pleads no contest to drug possession
|
Author Leonard dislikes eBooks, still loves movies
|
US soldier faces court martial over Afghan killings
Chile's rescued miners mum on nightmare experience
|
China mine blast kills 20, others trapped: report
|
Palestinians protest new Jerusalem housing plan
Time, like all good things, may come to an end: study
French to hit streets anew over pension reform
|
Tablet computer sales to hit 208 million in 2014
Resumption of stalled Iran nuclear talks on horizon
US deficit shrinks but still tops one trillion
Videogame fans sidestepping real-world shops: NPD
Karzai brother 'could be indicted for tax evasion'
U.S. To Monitor Venezuela's Relations With Nuclear Nations
World's longest tunnel breaks down Swiss Alpine barrier
U.S. Helping Taliban To Attend Peace Negotiations, Denies Direct Involvement
Iran wants to discuss dates to start nuclear talks
Sudan rebukes U.N. over border buffer zone plan
|
New Security Chief At Washington Dulles International Airport
3 NATO troops die in Afghanistan as attacks surge
Manolo Blahnik Shows Off Sketching Skills On "The Martha Stewart" Show
Brazilian poll shows Rousseff leading by 6 points
|
Dismay, disillusionment prevail in Palestinian camp
Pentagon Cautions Against Disclosure, Denies Knowledge Of DADT Cases Under Investigation
Weekly Recap
FBI was 'warned' about key figure in Mumbai attacks
Katy Perry Partners With Bing And Tapulous With Katy Perrys Revenge By Bing Game
BMW recalls 21,000 cars from China: state media
Amnesty International: Israel Must Cease Illegal Settlement Expansion
"Skating With The Stars" To Premiere In November On ABC
Producers On The Race To Secure Film/TV Story Rights To Rescued Chilean Miners
UN chief slams Myanmar junta on rights ahead of election
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
NKorea threatens '1,000-fold' increase in weapons
Warner Bros. gives go-ahead to two "Hobbit" films
Government to report on $1 trillion-plus deficit
Canadian Guantanamo inmate negotiating plea deal
U.N. official: U.S. is $1.2 billion in arrears at U.N.
Ex-President Carter to start Mideast peace tour
IBM 3rd-quarter seen strong, helped by new mainframe
|
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Neb. senator seeks talks in Congress on fetal pain
Kid Cudi putting his troubles behind
Warner Bros. gives go-ahead to two "Hobbit" films
eBay names head of marketing for North America
|
Keith Richards reveals all in rock'n'roll memoirs
Rapper T.I. sentenced to 11 months in jail
Ford to sell most of stake in Japan's Mazda: reports
Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz welcome baby boy
US moves to avert China clash, but nods to pre-election ire
Actor Simon MacCorkindale dies at 58
Huey Lewis explores "Soulsville" on new album
Taylor Swift ready to "Speak Now" with third album
Neil Patrick Harris welcomes twins
Warner Bros. gives go-ahead to two Hobbit films
|
Neil Patrick Harris welcomes twins
|
Kid Cudi putting his troubles behind
|
Huey Lewis explores Soulsville on new album
|
Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz welcome baby boy
|
summit focuses on battling cyber bullies
Rapper T.I. sentenced to 11 months in jail
|
Taylor Swift ready to Speak Now with third album
|
eBay names head of marketing for North America
Actor Simon MacCorkindale dies at 58
|
IBM 3rd-quarter seen strong, helped by new mainframe
EU proposes nuclear talks with Iran Nov 15-18
France braces for fresh pension reform protest
Iraq PM to visit Iran as coalition talks hot up
Sudan rebukes U.N. over border buffer zone plan
Japan rallies against China over disputed islands
|
Floods in Russia kill 11
|
England coach Capello to retire after Euro 2012
France, Germany to welcome Russia to seaside summit
Typhoon Megi gains strength as it nears Philippines
|
Man With Cerebral Palsy Too Disabled to Fly
Kosovo party quits government coalition
|
French workers pour onto the streets
France replies to EU on Roma's free movement: EU
Berlusconi laughs off tax fraud inquiry
Chavez clinches energy, nuclear deals on Russia visit
Acquit Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker: prosecutors
U.S. soldier to face court-martial in Afghan slayings
Prosecutors launch tax inquiry against Berlusconi
Fox-Cablevision dispute threatens MLB broadcasts
Medvedev nominates top Putin aide as Moscow mayor
Clinton: US working to ending Mexico drug violence
World's longest tunnel breaks down Swiss Alpine barrier
Witnesses say Fort Hood gunman kept firing outside
Apple's earnings to showcase one-two punch
|
Court ruling or no, gay troops know not to tell
Feds oppose Calif. Prop 19 to legalize marijuana
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
China mine accident leaves 20 dead, 17 missing
Chinese bosses shoot protesting Zambian miners: police
China 'concerned' over Japan island row protest
Thousands of Chinese join anti-Japan protests
G20 accord on currency elusive, S.Korean bank says
Dolce and Gabbana accused of tax evasion: report
Shanghai Expo breaks visitor record
Japan upgrades Haneda airport
Typhoon Megi gains strength as it nears Philippines
Finally, US Army makes progress for women in uniform
Pakistan defends military policy in northwest
Turkmens open Russia-bound gas route
Alisa Apps insists Lady Gaga challenge not a stunt
India 'orders probe' into Delhi Games corruption
October Annually Most Dangerous Month for Teen Drivers
Flash floods kill four in Cambodia
Nepalese Man Is Worlds Shortest
New York's Lincoln Center Has Bedbugs In Dressing Rooms Of Koch Theater
Philippines on alert for late-season typhoon
Billionaire Holds Out On $1 Million Presidential Streaking Dare
Suspicious Packages Found At Arizona Nuclear Plant
Suspects In Arizona Beheading Hunted
First Hitler Exhibit In Germany Breaks Taboo
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights