logo
COAS Munir instructs FBR to have dialogue with businessmen over arrest powers, penalties: FPCCI

COAS Munir instructs FBR to have dialogue with businessmen over arrest powers, penalties: FPCCI

While focusing on the recently enacted expansions of the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) powers, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh with the trade and industry's delegation met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M). who assured them of his full support for the economic growth of the country, according to a FPCCI statement on Tuesday.
The development comes days after Pakistan's two largest cities - Karachi and Lahore - faced partial and complete market closures over a strike call by traders against what they called 'anti-business' tax measures introduced in the Finance Act 2025.
Karachi, Lahore hit by strike against 'anti-business' tax measures
In the Finance Act, the government expanded the FBR powers with Sections 37A and 37B, which empower the tax authority officials with arbitrary arrests; Section 21(S), which imposes harsh penalties on cash transactions of Rs200,000 or more; mandatory digital invoicing under SRO 709; and the imposition of e-Bilty under Section 40(C).
'Mr Atif Ikram Sheikh maintained that the business community is immensely thankful to Field Marshal Asim Munir for immediately directing that the new provisions; particularly those added under Sections 37A and 37B of the Sales Tax Act 1990, pertaining to arrest and detention; be held in abeyance; and, for instructing the FBR to enter meaningful and solution-oriented dialogue with stakeholders and address their concerns,' the FPCCI statement read.
The statement further said the delegation had presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by the industrial sector – with particular emphasis on the recently enacted expansions of the FBR's powers.
'Additionally, the GHQ will support economic activities in the country through the platform of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC); fostering an environment of collaboration and trust.'
The business community's delegation also called for interest rates to be brought down in line with inflation to stimulate businesses and economic activities. It also highlighted the delay in notification of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) amendments relating to exclusion of cotton and cotton yarn from the scheme; and, imposition of an 18% sales tax on their imports, according to FPCCI statement.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Punjab to hire 2,000 agri interns
Punjab to hire 2,000 agri interns

Express Tribune

time31 minutes ago

  • Express Tribune

Punjab to hire 2,000 agri interns

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the second phase of an internship programme under which 2,000 agriculture graduates will get a monthly stipend of Rs60,000. Launching the Chief Minister Agriculture Internship Programme Phase-II, she said students pursuing BSc Agriculture and BSc (Hons) Agricultural Engineering are eligible for the scheme. They can submit their applications in the offices of deputy director agriculture (extension) in their districts. Agricultural Helpline 0800-17000 is also active for the internship programme. The chief minister said the quota for agriculture and agricultural engineering graduates in each district had been fixed. The chief minister said,"The agriculture internship programme not only supports farmers but also provides decent employment to the youth." She added,"Kisan Card Programme in Punjab has set new records of success, while Green Tractor and Tube Well Solarisation Programmes for farmers are going on successfully. Model Agriculture Malls are being introduced to provide all facilities to farmers under one roof." In a statement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to PML-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and their economic team on the decision of S&P to upgrade Pakistan's credit. The CM said in her message on World Drowning Prevention Day that recent drowning of several people in floodwaters was extremely painful. "There is a ban on bathing in canals, lakes and rivers throughout Punjab. A earning, sign system and monitoring are being ensured for effective ban on bathing. Rescue 1122 teams are fully mobilised to save public from drowning." She appealed to parents to prevent children from bathing in flooded drains, canals and rivers. The chief minister urged the citizens to keep in mind alerts of the meteorological department and administration to avoid going to dangerous areas during the ongoing rainy season. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also paid tribute to Major Ziyad Saleem and Sepoy Nazim Hussain on embracing martyrdom in a terrorist attack in Mastung.

The fix and fraud
The fix and fraud

Express Tribune

time3 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

The fix and fraud

Listen to article The tax collection machinery is in an enigma as vested interests in the business circles are defiant, and are unwilling to come under the tax net. This has landed Pakistan in a fix with the IMF, which is now insisting on a one-fourth increase in sales tax base. The Fund has also outright rejected the appeasement package doled out by the government to unregistered persons in the form of an additional 4% sales tax. This was to be charged over and above the standard 18% sales tax. A glance at this crisscross hints at capitulation of the revenue generation system, and its utter inability to broaden the tax net which is hardly composed of 200,000 registered sales tax persons, of which only 60,000 pay any tax. The tactic on the part of unregistered business circles to accept the punitive 4% extra tax is a ploy. First, the cost of it is passed on the consumers, and second, it offers them a convenient route to evade direct taxation. What makes it more horrendous is the authorities' audacity to accede to the unfair demands of the business community, and that too at the cost of national interest. It is ironic that the government has no consolation or relief for the salaried persons who are taxed at source of their income and have contributed a staggering Rs545 billion during FY25, as big-ticket business, feudal, real-estate and holy cows go unscratched. The tax sleuths must work on a realistic format of broadening the scope of taxation, and that means not only genuine reforms in the culpable bureau but also application of stringent laws to rope in the dodgers. It has no choice but to be obliged to the IMF that wants, at least, 50,000 more persons in the sales tax net. It's high time for the FBR to focus on the budgetary tax target of Rs14.13 trillion, which is 9% more than in the previous year, and not to be content with unverified claims of collecting Rs455 billion additional tax from retailers. A new and ordained across-the-board tax regime is indispensable if the economy has to stand on its feet.

Heated debate on Ajrak number plates in Sindh Assembly
Heated debate on Ajrak number plates in Sindh Assembly

Express Tribune

time5 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Heated debate on Ajrak number plates in Sindh Assembly

Listen to article The opposition and treasury benches, during the Sindh Assembly session on Friday, traded verbal barbs over the issue of Ajrak-themed number plates for vehicles. The opposition asserted they were not against the cultural and heritage status of Ajrak, but forcing people to pay exorbitant penalties for not installing the said number plates was unjustified. Moreover, the drive to implement the Ajrak number plates was limited to Karachi only, while in the rest of the province. Several MPAs expressed serious concerns over public issues and criticised harassing citizens over new number plates. They also expressed strong reactions over the notices issued to residents of derelict buildings in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Hyderabad. MQM member Shabbir Qureshi raised objections to traffic police unjustly issuing fines and harassing citizens over Ajrak number plates. Also Read: Parking fee abolished across Karachi In response, Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani clarified that Ajrak number plates have been in vogue for the last two to three years and include security features. He stated that motorcycles are often used in thefts and crimes, hence having registered and identifiable number plates is essential. These number plates are readable by the Safe City Cameras and have helped in apprehending persons illegally using official vehicles and government number plates. Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said that since 2022, new number plates have been installed on one million motorcycles, and it is a reflection of the culture of Sindh. He added that the Punjab government adopted the Ajrak design on its flyovers, but it has been made controversial in Sindh, which is unfortunate. MQM member Najm Mirza said that Ajrak is not the issue, but people are being troubled under its guise, with traffic police issuing fines amounting to thousands of rupees. He recommended forming of a special parliamentary committee on this issue, which should also include the opposition. Read More: Private schools lead in matric results in Punjab Ghani welcomed the proposal. He further said that he accepts full responsibility for the recent building accident in Lyari in which 27 people lost their lives. He said that the affected building was constructed illegally in 1980s. Following the accident, the DG of the Sindh Building Control Authority was removed and cases were registered against 11 officers, many of whom have been arrested. He said that assistance was delayed due to the victims not having identity cards, but now Rs90,000 per family is being given as three-month rent. A total of 45 families were living in the affected building in Lyari, most of whom were tenants. He added that 66 dangerous buildings in Karachi and 87 across Sindh have been vacated, and further action is being taken under the new committee. Meanwhile, Home Minister Sindh Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said regarding police recruitment that 50,000 youth passed the written examination under the advertisement given during the caretaker government, out of which 11,000 were recruited on merit and all the details are available on the website. The Sindh Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution condemning the double murder incident in Balochistan, demanding the strictest punishment for the accused involved in the murder. The resolution was presented by Pakistan Peoples Party member Sadia Javed.

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