The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been given a deadline of April 10 by trade and industrial associations across the country to meet their demands. Office-bearers and executives will wear black bands in protest, in addition to hoisting black flags on chamber premises, it was announced at a convention on ‘FBR’s Discretionary Powers’ held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI).
The representatives of different associations said that the government had not withdrawn the discretionary powers used by FBR officials, citing it as the major hurdle in expanding the tax net.
Pakistan Cotton Ginners, Pakistan Electric Fan, Pakistan Ethanol Manufacturers, Pakistan Kiryana Merchants, Pakistan Steel Melters, Pakistan Tanners, Pakistan Vanaspati, Pakistan Yarn Merchants, Rice Exporters, Travel Agents, Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers and Builders and Developers Associations attended the convention.
The convention called for an end to draconian laws and provisions, claiming them to be a source of mental torture. It also said that such laws have kept a sizeable amount of potential taxpayers out of the tax net, encouraging them to evade taxes.
LCCI President Abdul Basit said that Pakistan lacks a culture of tax compliance because of unfair taxation policies and that the form taxation which hinders business and trade progress in the country should be abolished.
