ISLAMABAD - Pakistan team captain Misbah-ul-Haq and player Azhar Ali Wednesday met with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the taxation related issues of the Pakistan cricketers.  Pakistan cricket team is these days running from pillar to post to seek tax relief from the government, but the matter is so far hanging in the balance due to some 'unavoidable' hitches.
The main representative of the team has so far got refusal from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and now approached Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar to seek tax relief. In latest development, cricketers Misbah-ul-Haq, national team captain, and Azhar Ali met with the Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, on behalf of the Pakistan cricket players to discuss the taxation related issues.  However, Finance Minister has assured the cricketers that their genuine concerns will be addressed so that they can focus more on their professional responsibilities.
These national heroes were due to discharge their national obligation by paying their taxes. According to the media reports, FBR had issued notices to four cricketers namely Misbah, Azhar Ali, M Hafeez and Taufiq Umar for non-payment of taxes in May 2014. FBR had imposed additional taxes after comparing the bank accounts and tax returns of four cricketers. FBR came to know that they had not disclosed additional incomes in their income tax returns Tax Year 2010-11 and 2011-12.
According to the reports, Misbah has to pay Rs 3.2 million, Hafeez Rs 4.2 million, Azhar Ali Rs 1.5 million and Taufiq Umar Rs 1.2 million. The Nation has tried to contact official spokesperson of the FBR Shahid Hussain Asad for taking his comment on exact amount of the taxes to be paid by the cricketers; however, he was not available to comment. Similarly, Misbah also did not attend the call.
The official handout released by Finance Ministry stated Misbah thanked the Finance Minister for providing major relief to sportsmen/players in the current financial year by removing them from professional services. He appreciated that flat rate of 10 per cent tax on the earnings is fair. He mentioned that only 5 to 6 years is the time period when any cricket player earns money by playing international cricket. After that he does not have the means to earn reasonable living. He urged that other professionals like doctors, architects etc. continue to earn for their whole life, and therefore, players should not be placed in the category of professional services. He requested the Finance Minister that the FBR should be directed to resolve the issue of outstanding taxes for last four years on the current flat rate of 10 per cent.
Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said that it was their national duty to pay due taxes so that there was a space for developmental activities in the country. “We also have to provide fiscal space to spend on social safety net for the poor segment of society.” The meeting was also attended by FBR chairman Tariq Bajwa, Advisor to the Finance Minister, Rana Assad Amin and senior officials of the ministry.