KARACHI: Finance Bill 2018 proposes that the rate of sales tax on import and supply of finished articles of leather and textile sector is being increased to 9.0 percent.

However, all those branded outlets which will be integrated through electronic fiscal devices with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) online system shall be charged sales tax at the rate of 6.0 percent.

Rate of sales tax for steel sector is being increased to Rs13 per unit of electricity consumed. Moreover, the rate of sales tax for other allied steel industries i.e. ship breakers and re-rollers is also being rationalized.

Federal Excise Duty on cement is being increased from 1.25 per kg to Rs. 1.50 per kg.