ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar has directed that the offices of Customs and relating banks in Karachi shall remain open on Saturday with immediate effect to clear deadlock and stuck up containers due to recent strike of transporters leading to non-clearance of thousands of containers by Customs and Ports Authorities.
The Finance Minister took this decision while presiding over a high level meeting to review the performance of Federal Board of Revenue which he visited on Tuesday in the afternoon. The Finance Minister took this decision in view of the situation arising as perishable goods like DFP, Urea, Onions and other exports and imports goods were stuck up, affecting the business community as well as the common man.
The Finance Minister also directed that FBR should detail field Inland Revenue Officers and facilitate taxpayers for filing of their returns. In this connection all field Inland Revenue Officers would now be available on Saturday in their offices to assist and facilitate the taxpayers in filing of their returns. The Inland Revenue Officers shall attend offices on all Saturdays and perform their duties as normal till midnight November 30, 2013.
The Finance Minister was told that more than 212 Kiosks have also been established throughout the country at important places including business centres to assist and facilitate the taxpayers for filing of their returns.
The meeting which lasted for over 4 hours also discussed various proposals to encourage and facilitate taxpayers as well as to provide relief to the business community.
The Finance Minister directed the officers of FBR to take necessary steps for collection of revenue and achieve the targets set by the Government as it is critical for the fiscal stability of the country.
Chairman FBR Tariq Bajwa, briefed the Finance Minister on the overall efforts which are being made by FBR to assist and facilitate the taxpayers, business community as well as an over view of the tax collection of the Board.
The Finance Minister appreciated the efforts being made by FBR for achieving the targets set by the Government and assured the senior officials of FBR that the Government would provide them necessary facilities and support for the purpose.
The Finance Minister was also briefed separately on issues relating to Customs, Sales Tax, Income Tax and Federal Excise Duty which were discussed threadbare.
The meeting was attended by the Members of FBR and Senior officers of Ministry of Finance
