SIALKOT: The Sialkot exporters have expressed grave concern over the inordinate delay in the payment of their prolonged pending sales tax refund claims and duty drawback claims by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The exporters said they were much perturbed due to this critical condition saying the capital of billions of rupees of Sialkot industries has been lying stuck at the FBR and Collectorate of the Customs Sialkot for the last five consecutive years, which is not being released despite the repeated appeals.
Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Sialkot’s other main trade bodies, including Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), have again raised their voice against this nasty situation urging the government to ensure early release of these pending claims of sales tax and duty drawback.
SCCI President Zahid Latif Malik said that the Sialkot exporters were facing grave financial difficulties.
SCCI Vice-President Abid Ahmed Khawaja revealed that the Sialkot based SMEs are eyeing on the FBR and Collectorate of Customs Sialkot for the early release of the pending 13700 claims.
Sialkot based Central Chairman of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Ejaz A. Khokhar said early release of these pending sales tax refund and duty drawback claims will inject “fresh blood” into the Sialkot industry besides jazzing up the pace of local trade and export activities.
Chairman Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association Dr. Khurram Anwar Khawaja and the representatives of Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSGMEA), Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA) and Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) have also demanded the early release of all abovementioned sales tax refund and duty drawback claims.
