LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Monday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to stop attaching business accounts and raids on the name of sales tax audit as are creating unrest and harassment among the business community.
In a statement issued here, LCCI Vice-President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi said that it was very unfortunate that despite clear direction of the Federal Finance Minister and Chief Minister Punjab, the bureaucracy is creating an atmosphere of harassment for the businessmen people who are backbone of the economy.
Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi said that the manufacturing sector was already passing through very critical times due to unavailability of needed electricity & gas and in dire need of handholding by the government to run their businesses.
He said that the private sector was ready to supplement all government efforts aimed at revival of economic activities in the country if they are provided breathing space but in the presence of such anti business tactics, it would be very difficult for the private sector to continue with their businesses.
He said that measures like attachment of accounts and raids on factories on industrial units and shops would create more hurdles for the business doing people.
Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi said that the Federal Finance Minister should take stock of the whole situation and stop the FBR officials from entering into the business premises.
He said that if there is an urgent need to take action against any particular industrial unit, the FBR officials should be directed to take concerned association or the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on board.