MULTAN: Chief Commissioner inland Revenue Multan Region Abid Raza Bodla listened the grievances of a member of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber, All Pakistan Bedsheet and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA), Multan Dryport Trust, and other businessmen in an open butchery held at the APBUMA’s auditorium today and said that we are resolving the problems of traders, industrialists, exporters, manufacturers and business community at their doorstep as per the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The open butchery was chaired by Khawaja Muhammad Younas and also attended by Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi President Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI)who has also served as President of Multan Chamber, Chairman of Multan Dryport Trust and ex-Punjab caretaker Minister for Industry, Khawaja Salahuddin, President of MCCI, Ex-President MCCI, Mian Fazal Elahi Sheikh, Former Chairman of APBUMA, Syed Muhammad Aasim Shah, Syed Muhammad Ahsan Shah, Vice-Chancellor of BZU Prof.Dr.Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Khawaja Saleem Raza Asif, Rehman Nasim, Convener Provincial Complaint Resolution Committee, Khawaja Muhammad Fazil,Khawaja Muhammad Ilyas, Khawaja Muhammad Hussain Chairman MDPT,Ex-Chairman Muhammad Ahmed Chughtai. M.Anees Khawaja and others, Bodla said that we have given an extension of 15 days to 31,000 people for filing their returns.
He said that we have cleared the refunds and all refunds up to Rs.70 to 80 million were paid to the claimants. He advised the remaining refund seekers to update their bank accounts and profiles and submit an application regarding any grievance on a simple paper to get redress their grievances. He further advised them to submit all necessary documents with their application to get relief. He assured the improvement of performance and service standards and asked the participants to inform him about any problems in on-line system or ATM registration. He said that stakeholders submitted their tax-returns without any impediment and they heaved a sigh of relief. Participants raised questions about notice served by FBR, Audit of accounts of taxpayers, Ease of Doing business, refunds, on-line returns, an amnesty scheme and he patiently answered all questions. Commissioner Inland revenue Mrs.Zahida Sarfraz told that RTO Multan was reviewing notices served on traders and we are ready to provide an opportunity of hearing to the traders to resolve their problems. Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said that FBR must provide facilities and concessions to Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which play a key role in the economies of all the countries in the world by their contribution to the national economic growth and employment.
SMEs contribute greatly to job creation and overall economic growth. Roomi said that SMEs contribute to about 70% of total employment and the ‘’ major contributors to value creation, generating between 50% and 60% of value-added on average’’. In developing economies like Pakistan, SMEs contribute up to 45% of total employment and 33% of GDP. He further said that Cotton sector was badly hit due to a decline in production and 40 % of ginneries remained shut. The government must compensate them.
Upon this, Abid Raza Bodla disclosed that we have resolved their long-standing issue of taxation on “Binola” and cotton. He said in a light vein that they should be celebrating this achievement. In his welcome address Khawaja Muhammad Younas Chairman APBUMA stressed the need for cooperation and understanding among the business community, trade organisations and Government functionaries to promote the harmony among all stakeholders.
Khawaja Muhammad Younas said that innovation and competitiveness are considered to be intertwined factors which contribute to the strength of an economy. He further said that Industry-academia linkages (IAL) provide the basis for a strong innovation system. A strong IAL ensures that the research and development activities in universities are oriented towards demand in the market and in the society; it provides enabling environment for increased creativity for new comers and guarantees the enhanced competitiveness. Later , honorary shields were given to the guests.
