logo
PYMA rejects inclusion of Articles 37-A, 37-B in ST Act

PYMA rejects inclusion of Articles 37-A, 37-B in ST Act

KARACHI: The Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association (PYMA) has categorically rejected the inclusion of Articles 37-A and 37-B in the Sales Tax Act under the recent Finance Bill.
In an appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood Langrial, PYMA has urged the immediate withdrawal of these controversial provisions, which have sparked serious concern across the business community. PYMA Chairman Muhammad Saqib Goodluck criticized the new measures, stating that they represent 'BLACK LAWS' that will lead to harassment and undue pressure on legitimate businesses. He emphasized that empowering FBR officials with excessive authority through these articles is unjust and hostile to business interests. 'If the government truly wants to enhance tax revenues, it should foster a supportive environment that encourages business growth, not one that breeds fear and mistrust,' Saqib Goodluck said. 'Thriving businesses contribute more to the national exchequer. But policies that stifle entrepreneurship will only shrink the tax base and hurt the economy.'
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Traders vow their unwavering support to LCCI
Traders vow their unwavering support to LCCI

Business Recorder

time3 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Traders vow their unwavering support to LCCI

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry witnessed a massive show of strength at its Traders Convention, where thousands of traders declared their unwavering support for the LCCI. Following overwhelming input from the trader community, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad conditionally accepted the government's offer for negotiations saying that any talks must be meaningful and solution-oriented. He said that the July 19 nationwide strike will proceed as scheduled. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, Former LCCI Presidents Mian Anjum Nisar, Muhammad Ali Mian, former Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, former Vice President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, representatives of trade and industrial associations and LCCI Executive Committee Members spoke on the occasion. President LCCI Mian Abuzar Shad said that the business community has been pushed to the wall through oppressive policies. We don't enjoy going on strike. We have been squeezed to the point of compulsion. He said that when Lahore moves, the entire country follows. He condemned the imposition of Section 37AA of the Income Tax Ordinance and called it a draconian law aimed at destroying trade and industry. Dual nationals are drafting policies for this country. No wonder the economy has reached this crisis point. He said that the business community did not take these massive loans we are not liable to bear their burden. Why are the $200 billion held abroad not brought back? he questioned. Mian Abuzar warned that if even a single trader is harmed, the entire national business community will rise in protest. We will pay our taxes and we will also demand accountability for the corruption eating up our economy. Former LCCI President and SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar said that we do not want to strike but the government has left us with no choice. Doing business has become nearly impossible due to the harsh and impractical budget measures imposed by FBR. He revealed that in Lahore, FBR officials pulled guns on each other over bribery money disputes. He said that the politicians set Rs500 million corruption limit for NAB but businesspersons are arrested over suspicion of Rs50 million. Why this double standard? He warned that Section 37AA would further promote corruption and destroy economic confidence. 'There's only 5% tax in the UAE,' he added and said that here we face one-sided oppression. This won't be just a Lahore strike, Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot and the entire nation will join. LCCI Senior Vice President Engr. Khalid Usman said that the Finance Minister had promised to incorporate the business community's suggestions into the budget but not a single proposal was implemented. He confirmed that LCCI has been in daily contact with chambers across Pakistan. This will begin with a one-day strike but if the issues remain unresolved, we will launch an indefinite nationwide protest. He said that we are open to negotiations but not for lip service, only for actual solutions. The July 19 strike will go ahead as a countrywide movement. LCCI is leading this historic effort. For the first time in Pakistan's history, there will be a nationwide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Trade bodies urge PM to abolish all ‘black laws'
Trade bodies urge PM to abolish all ‘black laws'

Business Recorder

time3 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Trade bodies urge PM to abolish all ‘black laws'

KARACHI: Leaders of trade bodies have urged the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to abolish all black laws like Section 37A and 37B introduced in the Finance Bill. They said that if black laws like Kishan 37A and 37B are not abolished, industries will be locked on July 19. They also demanded that those who make laws that drive the business community out of the country should be held accountable. Ahmed Azeem Alvi, President of SITE Association of Industry (SAI) has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is himself a businessman, to abolish all these laws and bring to justice those who have made these laws, who are making laws that are causing unrest and chaos and creating hopelessness in business circles. He said why don't we make business easier and make the system such that taxes are directly collected in the national treasury. We want to pay taxes and develop the country, but in a respectful manner. He requested the Prime Minister to include the presidents of all chambers of Pakistan in the FBR legislation so that legislation can be made keeping in mind the ground realities. Ahmed Azeem Alvi refused to accept the black laws like Section 37A and 37B introduced in the Finance Bill and has clearly sent a message to the government that the industrial community will not tolerate such laws under any circumstances. He said that the above laws, under which FBR officers have been given the power to arrest tax payers on mere suspicion and even file FIRs, are a highly condemnable move. Ahmed Azeem Alvi, while raising the strong voice of all the industrialists of the SITE area, announced full support for the strike call by all the chambers of the country, including the Karachi Chamber, on July 19 and said that if the government does not withdraw the black laws, then the industries of SITE, the largest industrial zone of Karachi, will be locked on July 19 and the entire responsibility for the delay in delivery of exports and unemployment of workers due to the closure of production activities will fall on the government. The President of the SITE Association further said that ease of doing business and promoting industries is created all over the world, tax relief is given and facilities are provided so that the economy is stabilized, maximum employment opportunities are created and the confidence of the business community is strengthened, but in our country Pakistan, the situation is completely opposite. He said that such laws are being made so that people end their businesses and flee Pakistan, chaos arises in the country and who are the people who want to spread mischief in the country. He said we met with the President of the Karachi Chamber, Javed Balwani, and informed him about the concerns found among the SITE industrialists and also expressed our determination to fully support the Karachi Chamber in its struggle to resolve these issues. He said that we had not yet been able to deal with the issue of Section 37A and 37B when new issues like e-filing and e-billing were raised. He said if we want to become an economic power, we have to act wisely and instead of intimidating our people, we have to provide a conducive environment where people can do their business and run industries without fear or threat. He asked the FBR officers how many awareness sessions they held before implementing new laws. Such laws are not brought that cause harassment. In our opinion, the above-mentioned black laws will only fill the pockets of 22,000 FBR employees. He said that the business community and the noble people will flee from here. Especially the SME sector will be destroyed. President Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI) Shaikh Muhammad Tehseen demanded the government to amend laws and regulations that are tantamount to harassing the business community of the country or face the countrywide strike on July 19. He said that business community categorically rejected the Sections 37AA and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, unjust taxation on bank transactions of over Rs. 200,000, e-invoicing, e-bylti and anti-business policies, including arrest of the businessmen. He pointed out that score of companies received notification for audit and inquiry from the tax authority in the last two weeks despite filing tax returns and paying taxes on time. President FBATI mentioned that business community already lodged a series of protest against these laws collectively; however, they decided to go on strike as a protest after their demands have not been addressed by the government by now. It is pertinent to mention here that Karachi Chamber of Commerce Industries (KCCI), major chambers of commerce across the country and trade and industrial associations of Karachi and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), have also decided to back the strike and announced the closure of businesses on July 19. He said on the behalf of the business community and FBATI, we appeal the Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mehmood Langrial to revise the new laws and regulations of tax authorities and their unjust actions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Customs Directorate: FBR issues SOP to boost audit capacity
Customs Directorate: FBR issues SOP to boost audit capacity

Business Recorder

time3 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Customs Directorate: FBR issues SOP to boost audit capacity

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to assist 60 external auditors of the Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit and Internal Audit (Customs) to increase audit capacity of the organisation. According to the FBR's plan, the new procedure is hereby formulated to assist the said directorate with the on boarding of auditors which are to be hired for enhancing the organisational capacity of PCA in line with the FBR Transformation Plan. The procedure aims to ensure consistency, efficiency and quality output during the deployment of auditors across the field formations of PCA. Consequent upon approval of the FBR's Transformation Plan (Customs), the board has notified SOP for providing a uniform framework for on boarding of Third-Party Auditors which are to be hired for enhancing audit capacity of Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit and Internal Audit (Customs). While the responsibility for ensuring the quality of auditors' rests with the HR firms, the evaluation committees shall be constituted for each region (including HQ) to assess and finalise the suitability of auditors short-listed by the respective HR firms. The evaluation process may be conducted either in person or virtually, depending on feasibility, the FBR added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store