LAHORE: There is a need to devise a mechanism in consultation with the business community to overcome the issues such as smuggling, under invoicing, SRO culture, raids on business premises and undue checking.
This was stated by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Vice President Nasir Saeed while talking to Collector Customs (Preventive) Zulfiqar Younas and Director Intelligence, Customs Department Lahore Saud Imran at the LCCI on Thursday.
LCCI executive committee members Amjad Ali Jawa, Mian Zahid Javed, former vice presidents Aftab Ahmed Vohra, Shafqat Saeed Piracha, Kashif Anwar, former executive committee members Khawaja Khawar Rasheed, Ashraf Bhatti, Amjad Wazir, Raja Hamid Riaz, Assistant to Chief Minister Anjum Butt, Amin Mazhar Butt, Muhammad Yousaf, Ahsan Saeed Mian and a large number of traders were present on the occasion.
Nasir Saeed said that measures like raids on business premises are creating troubles for the business community.
He said that the government would have to weed out the menace of smuggling and under-invoicing before implementing any tax avoidance measures. He said that it was very unfortunate that instead of widening tax base and bringing the untaxed sectors into the tax net, steps are being taken to squeeze the existing tax payers.
The LCCI vice president urged the Federal Board of Revenue to resolve the issue of WeBOC system as it is not working properly and failed to give the desired results.
He also stressed the need for a strategy to remove the menace of smuggling. He said that smuggled goods should be stopped at borders instead of conducting raids in the markets.
Former LCCI vice president Aftab Ahmed Vohra said that important and perishable items should be cleared the same day.
Collector Customs (Preventive) Zulfiqar Younas said that concerned issues would be resolved immediately. He said that the department wants to work hand in hand with the business community.
Director Intelligence, Customs Department Lahore Saood Imran invited the business to give their suggestion to overcome the issue of smuggling.
