SIALKOT: The traders, industrialists and exporters of Gujranwala have urged the federal government to take the business community into confidence before announcing the federal budget for the fiscal year 2015-16.
They urged the government to announce a “business-friendly” budget, averting the repetition of the old games of words in this new budget.
Talking to newsmen, leading industrialists of Gujranwala, including Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Khawaja Khalid Hassan, sought maximum financial relief in taxation by the government. He urged the government to ensure the early elimination of the prolonged prevailing energy crisis, as the industrial sector in Gujranwala was badly affected by the load shedding of electricity and gas as well. He said that uncontrolled power and gas outages now have become the biggest and most perturbing problem of the business community in Gujranwala.
GCCI President Khawaja Khalid Hassan also sought improvement in the country’s tax collection system, saying that the taxpayers were still facing hardships in their business promotion, while tax evaders were still getting “perks”. He said that the FBR should further tighten its circle around tax defaulter, besides facilitating the taxpayers and businessmen, enabling them to struggle hard for boosting the national economy with their full devotion, dedication, enthusiasm and complete peace of mind.
GCCI Vice President Babu Imtiaz urged the government to ensure a business- and people-friendly trade and economic policies in the coming budget, adding that the businessmen and the masses should feel the positive impacts of this budget.
Leading industrialist Muhammad Sadique Bhatti demanded one-digit tax for businessmen in the coming budget, besides waving off the import duties levied on the import of raw materials. He said that the early announcement of the single digit tax was the need of the day.
