The United States has denied entry to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a match in the World Cup.
A FIFA spokesperson said Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup — which kicks off on Thursday — after he was not allowed to enter the United States over the weekend.
Somalia’s government said it had unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with the US and FIFA so that Artan could enter the country and it was saddened by what had happened.
“His international achievements are a source of honour and pride for the Somali people,” Somalia’s sports ministry said in a statement.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Somali Football Federation (SFF) expressed sadness over the situation, calling Artan’s appointment a milestone for the country that resulted from years of dedication, professionalism and integrity.
The SFF said it has not received an official explanation as to why Artan was denied entry to the US, adding that it is working closely with FIFA and the relevant authorities to understand the circumstances of the situation.
FIFA says not involved in immigration policies
A senior Somali official told Reuters that diplomatic efforts were continuing to try to get Artan into the US for the tournament, but declined to share further details.
A FIFA spokesperson said the organisation “is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present”.
Artan said in a statement that despite the circumstances, he was in a positive mood and focused on the next challenges of his refereeing career.
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said.
It was not clear which game or games Artan would have refereed, although such information is typically only announced two to three days in advance.
US policies raise concerns ahead of world cup
Without naming him, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement that a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday and was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
The agency did not elaborate on those concerns, but said the referee underwent routine additional inspection before being denied entry.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP said.
The Trump administration’s strict immigration policies have been a point of concern ahead of the World Cup. Last year, Washington imposed a sweeping travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia.
Artan, who was named CAF’s Best Male Referee for 2025, had a valid visa, according to media reports.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken action against over 100 officials for collusion with human smugglers since the 2023 Greece boat tragedy, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control was informed on Tuesday.
At least 209 people drowned and hundreds more were feared dead or missing after their overloaded boat capsized and sank in the open seas off Greece, in one of Europe’s deadliest shipping disasters in June 2023.
Briefing the committee today, FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar said 132 enquiries were initiated, leading to 68 major and 36 minor penalties for officials who failed to follow the standard profiling mechanism and facilitated illegal migration.
He said 22,136 passengers were offloaded in 2026 after a strict assessment based on risk profiles. Deportations have also declined, with cases involving fake or forged documents dropping from 281 in 2024 to 13 so far in 2026.
“In 2024, a total of 35,459 passengers were offloaded, whereas deportations neared 68,877. In 2025, 39,786 were offloaded and deportations fell to 57,560,” Dr Anwar said.
“Due to strict profiling, deportation on fake documents has declined sharply.”
International concerns
The DG cited multiple concerns raised by international partners, including boat tragedies in the Mediterranean during smuggling attempts, illegal border crossings into the EU, and abuse of study visas in the UK and Cyprus.
“Pakistan is the 3rd largest student visa-receiving country of the UK, but around 10,000 misuse visas through asylum claims,” Dr Anwar said.
Eight UK universities have reportedly restricted student visa sponsorships for Bangladeshi students, while the UK has imposed restrictions on visa issuance for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, citing study visa abuse.
High-level EU delegations had also raised concerns over illegal migration, including crossings from Belarus into Poland. “Five hundred and eighty Pakistanis have not returned from Belarus,” he said.
Passengers departing for Cyprus on study visas often reroute to enter the EU, while Senegal and Mauritania routes are used to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.
Other challenges included beggary in GCC countries and stranded Pakistanis in Cambodia.
From 2024 to 2026, 24,922 passengers travelled to Cambodia, and 3,312 did not return to Pakistan. Many were working in scam operations or were subjected to bonded labour.
“Eighty per cent of travellers were on visit or tourist visas,” he said. Similarly, 7,721 passengers did not return from Azerbaijan, with 70 per cent on visit visas.
Dr Anwar revealed that attempts were made to use fake blue passports for travel to a third country, mainly originating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. He added that 175 individuals deported last month had travelled to Malaysia and Azerbaijan on valid visas.
“Screening was the only way to prevent illegal migration, and a free-for-all cannot be allowed,” said DG FIA.
Policy measures
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued eight directives to curb human smuggling, while a committee formed after the 2023 incident recommended enhanced vigilance on travel to high-risk countries from hotspot districts.
To address grievances, Standing Order No 02/2026 introduced a formal appeal and review mechanism for offloaded passengers.
“Supervisory scrutiny and documented reasons are mandatory,” Dr Anwar said. Continuous oversight of offloading decisions is maintained, and actions are taken only on approved risk indicators.
Citing Frontex data, the DG said illegal migration towards Europe declined by 26pc in 2025, with a 64pc drop recorded in January–February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Deportations due to organised begging fell by 75pc in 2025, while deportations for fake or forged documents dropped by 31pc. Overall deportations were down 16pc in 2025, he said.
“The International Centre for Migration Policy Development, an EU-based organisation, has acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts against human smuggling and trafficking,” added Anwar.
Tech upgrades
The FIA is working on Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data for pre-risk assessment, e-gates for automated immigration control, and a mobile application for data collection called eIMMI.
“The IBMS and IT sections are being restructured in line with global standards,” said DG FIA, adding that a National Command and Control Centre is planned for integration of databases at airports, seaports and land border crossings.
An official from the Immigration and Passports Department (IMPAS) told the panel that 57,510 deportees are currently on the Passport Control List (PCL), commonly known as the black list.
It is a confidential register maintained by IMPAS that bars designated individuals from obtaining, renewing or using a Pakistani passport due to legal, security, criminal or administrative reasons.
Director Policy Shahid Riaz Gujjar said names are placed on the PCL under Rule 22 of the Passport Rules 2021 on written recommendations from Pakistani missions abroad or agencies such as Interpol, based on reports from host-country authorities.
He said names placed on the PCL on the recommendations of agencies, departments and courts are removed upon receipt of specific directions from the same forums.
The normal period of retention is five years, but it can be extended with justification.
Under SOPs issued by the Interior Ministry on March 11, 2025, individuals deported before May 8, 2023 should not be placed on the PCL as the two-year period has already lapsed. Those deported after May 8, 2023 will remain on the list for five years.
Persons deported for overstaying who later obtained a valid work visa or work permit will also not be placed on the PCL.
A committee constituted by the Ministry of Interior to review PCL policy has submitted its recommendations for approval.
The official further added that approvals for the issuance of passports against third and fourth lost passports were stopped “for further scrutiny” due to possible concealment of facts and misuse. Such cases are handled under Rule 15 of the Passport Rules 2021.
A separate committee was formed to propose policy on pending cases and its recommendations are awaiting approval.
Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry told the committee that there are restrictions on the issuance of a fresh travel document after the third or fourth lost passport.
“Many individuals report the loss of a second passport within a month. The IDs are sold and misused, bringing a bad name to the country,” he said.
• ‘Proscribed’ JAAC to go ahead with rally from Bhimber to Muzaffarabad, sit-in outside assembly • Officials say govt ‘will not allow’ march to go ahead; large crowds unlikely since group’s leadership is ‘on the run’
MUZAFFARABAD: In the aftermath of Sunday night’s fierce clashes that claimed the lives of seven civilians and four law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) braced for a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike on Tuesday (today) , announced by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
According to initial plans, the JAAC had decided that protesters would start a long march from the southernmost district of Bhimber, passing through Mirpur, Kotli and Poonch before reaching Muzaffarabad on June 10 for a sit-in outside the Legislative Assembly.
Government officials, meanwhile, appeared hopeful about the prospects of a tepid response to the protest call for several reasons, including the recent crackdown. In action against JAAC, the authorities had rounded up more than 200 people across the region and forced others into hiding, official sources and witnesses said.
“Situation is fluid. The JAAC leadership and crowd-pullers are on the run. So far, they haven’t been able to pull numbers on the streets, but there is a possibility of small protests at several places,” said one official.
“But it has been firmly decided that protesters will not be allowed to assemble anywhere, let alone stage a long march from one part of the state to the other,” another official said.
Some analysts were of the view that while shutters might remain closed and transport stay off the roads, the call for Tuesday’s strike was less likely to receive an overwhelming response due to the alleged stubbornness of the JAAC leadership.
“It was a good movement for rights in the beginning, but some of the committee’s obdurate and myopic leaders pushed it into a blind alley, for reasons best known to them,” remarked a retired government servant, requesting he should not be named. “Abolition of 12 seats might be close to the majority’s hearts in AJK, but it should not have been made a matter of life and death,” he added.
The officials who spoke to Dawn made it clear that the administration would neither force anyone to keep their shops open nor allow anyone to force others to shut down their businesses. “As long as people remain peaceful, the law will tolerate them. But the moment they try to create any problem, they will be dealt with firmly,” one of them said.
Rawalakot violence
On Monday, life remained normal in almost all parts of AJK, except Rawalakot, where shutters remained down for the second consecutive day and public transport stayed off the roads. Elsewhere, a partial strike was reported just from Dadyal, a lakeside town in Mirpur district.
In Rawalakot, the epicentre of the violence, the administration and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) succeeded in dispersing protesters shortly after midnight on Sunday. According to divisional commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan, the protesters had not only blocked access to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) but had also virtually taken over the facility, forcing doctors and paramedics to flee for their safety. He regretted that those present inside the hospital not only obstructed treatment for LEA personnel but also caused further injuries to some of them, apart from allegedly disrespecting the body of a martyred police constable.
Sharing details of the clashes, he alleged that the protesters possessed long-range firearms, petrol bombs and other ammunition. “They attacked law enforcers from side alleys with full planning, on the pattern of a guerrilla war,” he said. He said of the 30 or so hospitalised activists, three critically injured were airlifted to Islamabad along with four LEA personnel by helicopter.
Six activists remained under treatment in the hospital as detainees while others were shifted to the police station, he added.
Funeral prayers
Meanwhile, funeral prayers for the three AJK policemen — identified as SHO Hajira Muhammad Inayat and constables Muhammad Faisal and Faheem Anwar — were offered at 5pm at Rawalakot Police Lines with full honours. Among those in attendance were Chief Secretary Khushal Khan, IGP Liaqat Ali Malik and General Officer Commanding Murree Maj Gen Zarrar Mahmood.
The seven deceased civilians were identified as Usman Sabir of Koiyan village, Fahad Barkat of Rehara village, ex-serviceman Wasaid Siddique of Parrat village, Naqash Zardad of Matyalmera Danna village, Jamshed Ashraf of Hussainkot village, Muhammad Rasheed of Choti Nakkar Pakhar village, and Tariq Resham of Dothan village. The ex-serviceman was caught in crossfire, the commissioner claimed.
Sources disclosed that the funeral and burial rites of three activists, including Shazeb Habib, whose body had been lying in the CMH mortuary since Saturday, were performed by the administration and police, while those of the others were carried out by their families without any agitation.
In a statement posted on Facebook, a spokesperson for IGP Malik said that legal action against members of the proscribed committee allegedly involved in armed violence was continuing. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in attacks on LEA personnel and government property.
A controversial proposal to expand military technology cooperation between the United States and Israel is headed for a vote in the House of Representatives after surviving its first major congressional challenge, setting the stage for a broader debate over the future of one of Washington’s closest strategic relationships.
The measure, known as the United States-Israel Defence Technology Cooperation Initiative, advanced out of the House Armed Services Committee on Friday after lawmakers rejected an amendment seeking to remove it from the annual defence policy bill.
Opponents are expected to renew their challenge when the legislation reaches the House floor, likely in July.
The initiative is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual legislation through which Congress sets policy and priorities for the US military.
If enacted, it would establish a formal framework for expanding cooperation between American and Israeli defence industries and research institutions. The proposal would require the Pentagon to designate a senior official to coordinate joint projects and identify areas for cooperation ranging from artificial intelligence and cyber security to autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing and counter-drone technologies.
Supporters describe the measure as a logical extension of a decades-old partnership that already includes intelligence sharing, missile defence programmes and joint weapons development. They argue that closer cooperation in emerging technologies would help both countries maintain military advantages in a rapidly changing security environment.
Critics contend that the proposal goes much further than existing arrangements and could create an unprecedented level of integration between the American and Israeli defence sectors.
The strongest challenge so far has come from Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, who sought to remove the provision during the committee’s consideration of the defence bill.
“We need to tell Netanyahu that America calls the shots, not the prime minister of any other country,” Khanna told the committee. He also argued that Americans wanted “less cooperation and blank checks to Israel, not more.”
Khanna’s effort received support from Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has also questioned deeper military commitments abroad. But the amendment was defeated after lawmakers from both parties rallied to defend the proposal.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers dismissed concerns that the measure would undermine US sovereignty.
“Claims that this provision somehow cedes authority to a foreign government are ridiculous,” Rogers said.
Representative Adam Smith, the committee’s senior Democrat, argued that the initiative largely formalises cooperation that already exists between the two countries.
The debate reflects broader political changes in Washington. While support for Israel remains strong in Congress, divisions have become more visible in recent years, particularly following the Gaza war and growing criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Progressive Democrats have increasingly questioned military aid and diplomatic support for Israel, while most Republicans and many mainstream Democrats continue to back close strategic ties.
Even after clearing the committee, the proposal faces several hurdles before becoming law. The House must approve the defence bill, the Senate must pass its own version, and the two chambers must reconcile any differences before sending final legislation to the president.
For now, however, supporters have won the first round of what is likely to be a longer battle over the future scope of US-Israel military cooperation.
KARACHI: Recognising the growing threat of narcotics consumption in the city’s educational institutions, the city’s South Zone police have prepared an anti-drug policy in collaboration with the heads of 22 universities and schools.
Speaking to Dawn on Monday, South Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said: “Recognising the need for a coordinated, proactive and sustainable response, the police have adopted this comprehensive anti-drug policy to safeguard students from substance abuse and foster a safe, healthy and drug-free educational environment.”
He added that the policy was founded on the principles of “prevention, early intervention, parental engagement, rehabilitation, institutional accountability and lawful enforcement”.
“It aims to establish and maintain drug-free educational institutions, protect students from exposure to narcotics and other harmful substances, and promote awareness of the physical, psychological, social and legal consequences of substance abuse,” the South DIG said.
He maintained that strengthening collaboration among educational institutions, parents, healthcare professionals and law enforcement agencies was key to achieving the policy’s objectives.
“Besides facilitating the early identification, intervention, counselling and rehabilitation of students requiring assistance, the policy also aims to prevent the infiltration of drug supplies, peddlers and criminal elements into educational environments, and foster a culture of responsible citizenship, healthy lifestyles and positive personal development,” the senior police officer said.
The senior police official added that under the policy, anti-drug committees would be formed in educational institutions, comprising institutional heads, teachers, parents and law enforcers.
DIG Asad elaborated that educational institutions would also organise regular seminars and awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of drug abuse.
“It has also been proposed that parents or legal guardians shall execute a drug prevention consent and responsibility declaration at the time of admission or readmission, authorising the educational institution to conduct reasonable and lawful drug-screening programmes,” he said.
“Educational institutions shall cooperate with law enforcement agencies to identify and report individuals or groups attempting to target students for drug-related activities.”
Furthermore, he observed that the policy represented a collective commitment by educational institutions, parents, students and law enforcement authorities to preserve the sanctity of learning environments and nurture a generation that is healthy, disciplined, productive and resilient.
He said the South district police had already established a “Campus Security and Substance Abuse Watch”, including female police officers, to strengthen surveillance and preventive intervention around educational institutions.
“Out of 158 private schools in the South district, 20 are under surveillance, while eight of the district’s 22 private colleges are under surveillance,” the South DIG said, adding: “Four of the nine private universities in the district are also under surveillance.”
DIG Asad said all senior superintendents of police had been directed to submit fortnightly progress reports highlighting enforcement actions, awareness initiatives, inspections conducted, cases registered and challenges encountered during the crackdown on narcotics.
“The objective is not merely the enforcement of the law but the protection of future generations, the preservation of public health and the strengthening of societal values,” he said.
Last year in October, the Campus Security and Substance Abuse Watch Force comprising 50 police personnel was established to curb the menace of drugs in educational institutions within the jurisdiction of the South Zone of Karachi police.
As is tradition, the day of the budget announcement remains a non-event for many consumers, who know that the finance minister’s speech in the National Assembly will bring little in the way of relief, focusing instead on praising the government’s past measures and setting new budgetary and revenue targets under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
However, this year’s budget carries greater significance, as consumers are already struggling to make ends meet amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Higher freight and insurance charges imposed by shipping lines following the US–Israel and Iran conflict have pushed up the cost of production.
Some manufacturers have tried to absorb this cost pressure, while others have simply passed the burden on to consumers. This has been partly cushioned by relative stability in the rupee–dollar parity; otherwise, the situation would have been far more alarming.
Prospects for strong industrial growth remain constrained under the current IMF programme, as fiscal consolidation and revenue generation continue to be key priorities
Consumers are curtailing petrol and diesel purchases due to unaffordable prices. Monthly petrol and diesel sales are not showing any growth despite rising bike and four-wheeler sales. During 11MFY26, petrol and diesel sales stood at seven million tonnes and 6.35m tonnes, showing a marginal year-on-year (YoY) rise of two per cent and 1pc, respectively.
Cost pressures set to persist
Senior Vice President, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a recent meeting with the business community, indicated that the upcoming budget is expected to focus on export-led growth. However, ‘significant relief on essential commodities appears unlikely’.
The government is targeting a revenue collection of around Rs15.2 trillion for FY27, suggesting the introduction of additional taxation measures to meet fiscal objectives. The continued phasing out of subsidies under the IMF programme could increase the cost of goods and services, adding further pressure on consumers, he said.
“A reduction in the 18pc GST also seems difficult given the government’s commitment to achieving IMF revenue targets,” Magoon said, adding that while some sector-specific incentives may be announced, “broad-based relief on essential items and petroleum products appears limited despite changing market dynamics arising from the Middle East conflict.”
SVP FPCCI said prospects for strong industrial growth remain constrained under the current IMF programme, as fiscal consolidation and revenue generation continue to be key priorities.
CEO Top Line Securities Mohammad Sohail said “under the IMF programme, it looks difficult that the government can provide any major relief.” Increase in wages, lower tax rate on people earning less and more direct subsidies may help to some extent, he said, adding that “major relief can only come through diesel and petrol prices, which are affected by the Middle East war.”
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Rehan Hanif, while commenting on the possibility of relief for the salaried class in the upcoming Federal Budget, stated that meaningful and sustainable relief can only be achieved if the government shifts its entire focus towards broadening the tax base instead of further burdening the existing taxpayers, including the salaried class.
The salaried class has become one of the most heavily taxed segments of society despite having no opportunity to conceal income, as taxes are deducted at source.
He cautioned against any increase in the GST, warning that even a one-percentage-point increase could trigger a fresh wave of inflation, raise the cost of doing business, increase production costs, and further diminish the purchasing power of consumers, particularly low- and middle-income groups.
President KCCI said, “the revenue required for providing relief to the common man can be generated through plugging leakages and eliminating tax distortions rather than imposing additional taxes.”
The government can still provide meaningful relief to the public by rationalising indirect taxes, reducing unnecessary duties on essential commodities, curbing inefficiencies in the supply chain, and ensuring that any benefit arising from lower international commodity prices is promptly passed on to consumers, the KCCI chief said.
Inflation can be effectively controlled through improved market oversight, reduction in transportation and energy costs, and by minimising the cascading impact of excessive taxation on the cost of goods, he said, urging the government to refrain from imposing additional petroleum levies or other indirect charges that unnecessarily inflate fuel costs.
President Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA), Rauf Ibrahim, said the government is unlikely to provide any big relief to the consumers in the shape of GST reduction or other taxes on various commodities due to the IMF’s pressure to increase tax collection, while the economy is already under pressure due to stagnant exports and rising imports.
Rising prices
A general price survey before the previous and current federal budgets reveals a steep rise in wheat and flour varieties despite the arrival of Sindh and Punjab crops in March/April.
As per data from the Sensitive Price Index ending June 4, 2026, versus June 4, 2025, a 10kg wheat bag is now available at Rs 1,095 versus Rs653, resulting in a price hike for various roti varieties by Rs2 to Rs10 per piece.
Sindh Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboob Uz Zaman, on June 2, 2026, took notice of the increase in bread and flour prices in different parts of Sindh and directed the Sindh Food Department and concerned district administrations to submit a detailed report on flour prices, wheat stock positions, supply chain issues, and any possible hoarding or profiteering in the market.
He said Sindh has produced a bumper wheat crop this year, and there is no justification for creating panic in the market.
Similarly, the prices of beef with bones and mutton have risen to Rs1,000–1,550 and Rs1,800–2,900 per kg, respectively, from Rs800–1,400 and Rs1,600–2,450 per kg, while exports of meat and meat preparations to the Middle East and other regions continue amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, June 8th, 2026
ISLAMABAD: A PPP delegation, led by party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, expressed its reservations related to taxes during a pre-budget meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday, sources told Dawn.
The meeting was held at the Zardari House in Islamabad, an official statement by the PPP said, adding that apart from Bilawal, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Murad Ali Shah and Jam Khan Shoro were also present.
“Matters related to the budget were discussed during the meeting,” it said.
The discussion also covered expenditure, development spending priorities, including the Public Sector Development Programme, as well as broader economic priorities such as fiscal sustainability, public welfare, development initiatives, and inclusive growth.
With the budget for FY2026-27 set to be announced on June 10 (Wednesday), this was the second round of pre-budget talks between the two major ruling partners, the PML-N and the PPP, and the third and final round is expected to be held on Monday.
Sources told Dawn that Dar assured the PPP that their proposal would be incorporated in the budget.
A source told Dawn that during the previous meeting, the PPP pointed out that provinces had been asked to raise their revenue targets in order to meet the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) requirements.
The IMF has asked the Centre to introduce at least Rs430bn worth of additional budgetary measures in the upcoming budget, alongside a nearly matching amount of Rs430bn to be generated by the four provinces.
In this connection, the PPP asked Dar for ways for the provinces to increase their tax revenues during the Sunday meeting, the source said.
Separately, a PPP leader said his party was trying to reach an agreement with the ruling PML-N on fiscal measures in light of the new IMF demands, adding that they were “unhappy with the budget in its current form”.
“The government wants to tax the same classes instead of expanding the tax base,” the PPP leader pointed out.
An insider pointed out to Dawn that IMF had set macroeconomic conditions, such as those relating to primary surplus and revenue targets, for the federal budget.
“The IMF has also set targets for the provinces in an unprecedented move,” the source added.
PPP leaders told Dawn they opposed new taxes and hoped the government would change its approach to taxation to provide relief to the inflation-hit masses.
One of the sources said the PPP team asserted during the meeting that the government should prefer a broader tax base instead of exerting pressure on the same tax class.
“The discussion revolved mostly around revenue and expenditures,” the source added.
