The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday refused to lift tax on the stationery items despite mounting pressure on the government by the stationery shop owners.
According to sources, virtual negotiations between the government and global lender couldn’t be successful.
According to sources, the IMF has insisted on maintaining the 10 per cent sales tax on stationery items, leading to a significant increase in prices, despite efforts by the government.
Sources said that the tax increase has resulted in a 15 per cent rise in prices of stationery items, affecting students, businesses, and the general public.
The tax increase has affected various stationery items, including children’s pens, staplers, markers, calculators, sharpeners, erasers, highlighters, punching machines, and pencil boxes. The IMF has maintained that the sales tax on these items will remain in place.
Pakistan imports stationery items from countries like China and Hong Kong, and over 850 importers in Pakistan are affected by the tax increase, sources added.
