Govt to amend clause to bar FBR from arresting tax evaders: Tarin

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has agreed to amend the clauses pertaining to arrest of tax evaders in the finance bill.

While giving the briefing to the senate Standing committee on Finance and Revenue on budget proposals, the Finance Minister said that the finance bill will be amended and the arrest clause will be changed.

“Those who do not appear in the tax net will be arrested but after the approval of a three-member committee comprising the finance minister, special assistant finance minister and chairman FBR,” he added.

The finance minister requested the Senate committee to prepare amendments, adding that he has also asked the law minister to make changes in the bill in this regard.

He also informed the members that FBR was barred from sending notices. The third party will not only send notices but also conduct the audit to taxpayers.

The finance minister said that the IMF had imposed very strict conditions in this loan program. The government on the instruction of lending organisations enhanced the policy rate to 13.25 per cent which increased the interest on loans from Rs1,300 billion to Rs2,900 billion besides, devaluing the rupee.

He also said that the government on the instructions of the IMF raised the electricity and gas prices, which not only pushed up inflation but also affected the industry.

“The IMF’s aim was to slow down the economy so that imports could be reduced due to which growth slowed to 2.1 per cent,” the minister added.

He said that there is a sale of Rs100 trillion at the retail level but we only collect Rs650 billion tax. 

We will install point-of-sale machines at the retail level and this would be linked to FBR, he further added that the government will also give reward to those consumers who will compel outlets for computerised receipts.

The finance minister said that the government will give tax relief to the ex-FATA and PATA area people till 2023 as they have badly suffered from the war on terror. The case of Azad Kashmir is different and we will not make changes there. 

Member of committee Senator Sherry Rehman said that in-direct taxes will further increase inflation.

Senator Sadia Abbasi said that the ground realities are different. The biggest issue is unemployment and the government will have to pay heed to this matter.

Senator Faisal Sabzwari said that the tax on the agricultural sector should be increased.

The Finance Minister in response to the questions of the members said that two provinces suggested to FBR to collect agriculture tax. The federal government can collect Rs 60 to 70 billion tax from the agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) said that giving the powers to the FBR to raid offices of traders will eventually turn the tax collection body into a mini NAB.

“The new powers to FBR to raid trader’s outlets or offices is totally unfair,” Haji Qurban Ali, vice president FPCCI. 

He was talking to a group belonging to the business community of Potohar region along with Abdul Rehman Mirza, head of FPCCI Capital office. 

Haji Qurban said that there were serious differences and lack of trust between the business community and the institutes like FBR. 

“But giving powers based on only doubt will make the FBR to act like police departments – who do have any respect and trust in the society,” Haji Qurban added.