The convention was aimed at discussing the issues and formulating a joint strategy to seek resolution of issues and problems being faced by trade and industry in all over Pakistan due to unfriendly attitude being showed by the taxation authorities. Speaking at a press conference, Siraj Kasumi Teli, chairman Businessmen Group said that committee comprising representatives from Karachi Chamber, Rawalpindi Chamber, Lahore Chamber, Gujranwala Chamber, Islamabad Chamber and Hyderabad Chamber was constituted for taking further line of action, collectively.
He demanded the government to immediately stop field formation for attaching bank accounts besides conducting raids on the premises of business community. He said that business community would not support tax evaders but they had to produce evidence before taking any aggressive action. Later, the participants of the convention have issued the following decisions:
All the chambers and trade associations, signatory to this communiqué will not submit any proposals or recommendations for the federal budget for the fiscal year 2017-2018. The ministry of finance and FBR are hereby urged to first implement budgetary proposals which were submitted by the participant chambers and associations during the last four financial years since these were entirely ignored and disregarded. Therefore the submission of any new proposals would be an exercise in futility.
The participants urged the ministry of finance and FBR to withdraw the draconian provisions and laws giving immense discretionary powers acquired through last four Finance Bills, to the officers of Inland Revenue and field formations which is a core issue and resulted in hardship, loss of productivity and mental torture to the business community. These laws have kept a large number of potential tax-payers out of the tax regime. In fact these laws are a deterrent to broadening of tax-base and resulted in promoting the culture of tax-evasion.
All chambers and associations who had given their input and taken part in the proceedings of tax reforms commission formed by the government with the commitment that its recommendations will be implemented in letter and spirit, have expressed their dismay and disappointment over the failure to adopt the recommendations on which a complete and total consensus was evolved among stakeholders, government functionaries, FBR officials and tax professionals. The commitment to implement these recommendations should be fulfilled immediately.
The chambers and trade bodies further suggested that no changes should be made in tax laws including Income Tax Ordinance 2001, Sales Tax Act 1990, Customs Act 1969 and Federal Excise Act, through the Finance Bills. The Finance Bill should be confined to the budgetary and fiscal measures only. Any changes in the tax laws and provisions should be tabled through separate Bills in the parliament and be passed after necessary debate and consultation with the stakeholders.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017