FBR issues SRO cutting tobacco tax as proposal still under discussion

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued a statutory regulatory order (SRO) on Friday to introduce a third tier in the taxation structure of tobacco. The decision will lead to reduction in cigarette prices by Rs17. The decision, which came as the proposed federal budget for 2017-18 is still under discussion in parliament, has triggered a debate in the health circles about the consequences if parliament rejects the proposal. Critics say low prices will fuel tobacco consumption and put burden on...