Islamabad, Pakistan: A recent research study has revealed that the Pakistani government could generate a substantial amount of revenue by taxing absentee landlords. According to the study, the government could potentially earn at least Rs79.61 billion annually through this measure.
The findings were presented by Irfan Ahmad Baig from MNS University of Agriculture Multan at the concluding day of the 4th RASTA Conference 2024, organized by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Baig emphasized the need for agrarian tax reform to address the skewed land distribution in Pakistan and suggested that taxing absentee landlords could be a viable solution.
In addition to the taxation of absentee landlords, other research presentations at the conference focused on various topics related to agriculture and economic development.
Khair Muhammad Kakar from UET Khuzdar discussed the impact of government policies on olive production in Pakistan, while Saranjam Muhammad from Karakoram International University examined the political economy of wheat subsidies and food security in Gilgit-Baltistan. Business Recorder
Dr. Durre Nayab, Director of Research at PIDE Islamabad, also presented the findings from the Pakistan Panel Household Survey (PPHS) 2024 Round. The survey offers valuable insights into the socio-economic changes within Pakistani households over the past decades.
Other presentations at the conference covered topics such as fiscal management, governance of public sector projects, and barriers to the adoption of tax e-filing in Pakistan.
