ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday sent an offer of talks to representatives of the trade bodies to settle all issues ranging from big retailers sales tax registration, CNIC condition and fixed tax regime for small shopkeepers, reported Dawn.
The olive branch came to the traders from FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi amid reports that some factions of traders across the country are planning to organise a protest in Islamabad on Oct 9 especially against implementation of the CNIC condition.
The FBR had delayed implementation of this decision till Sept 30 to try and win over the trader bodies, but those talks broke down 10 days ago.
“We are open to talks on all these issues,” FBR chairman was quoted as saying in the report, adding in case of positive talks, the date can be extended further for implementation of the CNIC condition. Zaidi is positive that the issue will be settled, adding he is not worried about the talks.
Naeem Mir of All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran, based out of Lahore, said he received a request two days ago, but added that he had refused the request. “We have rejected the meeting because we see no serious interest, whether FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi or other senior officials, will hold the dialogue on Friday.”
He said he had been meeting with the FBR team for the last two months but so far, nothing concrete has emerged despite deliberating on traders’ proposals.
On Aug 2, FBR notified three draft schemes including simplified tax regime for traders, fixed tax regime for small shopkeepers and issuance of business licences to bring the undocumented sectors under the tax net. Since then, the trader bodies have been opposing these schemes, even launching a countrywide closure strike in one case.
