Tariq Hameed hopes newly elected LCCI body will come up to expectations of businessmen
LAHORE: PIAF – Founder Alliance has successfully been able to restrict Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from raiding outlets and premises of businessmen under section 38b and 40b of Sales Tax Act 1990. Besides the issue of double taxation is resolved and stuck-up containers of Bilal Gunj importers are released by customs authorities in the results of successful intervention of LCCI.
These views were expressed by the leadership of PIAF Founder Alliance while addressing a gathering on the occasion of inauguration of the alliance election office for Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) election 2017-18 the other day.
LCCI president Abdul Basit said that raids under section 38 and 40 were the troubling issue for the business community. The FBR authorities were free to raid any godown and outlet but due to the LCCI’s pro-active initiative the issue is resolved to a great extent. He said that discretionary powers of FBR authorities proved a serious problem and was being misused however, “we were able to get thumping success in this regard. Double taxation, rebate and refund related issues were also successfully taken up with authorities. “Due to the efforts of LCCI office bearers Punjab government has decided not to uproot industrial zone from Lahore, he said, adding that Lahore Business Centre will also be set up soon.
“We were also able to resolve issue of contain containers which were stuck up and were not being released by customs authorities after an SRO introduced in budget” he added. Tariq Hameed, Founder Group chairman, said that unopposed corporate class success is good really impressive and it is hoped that next year associate class election will also be won by the alliance unopposed. He hopped that the newly elected would come up to the expectation of the business community.
Abdul Basit has very wisely taken up FBR illegal raids on importers godowns and seizure of records and harassment. PIAF chairman Sheikh Irfan said that FBR’s harassment has exceeded all limits and PIAF and Founder Alliance forced the FBR to step back in the vast good interests of the business community.
He assured the businessmen of Lahore that at least in Lahore their premises would not be raided without the sufficient reason. If FBR will not stop harassment the business community would exercise the right to protest, he said.
LCCI former president Mian Ashraf said that LCCI assets have crossed the mark rupees one billion and its annual budget has reached from Rs80 million to Rs90 million. He said that they would not let anybody to grab LCCI for their vested interests.
He, however, specially mentioned Khwaja Khawar Rasheed’s services for the business community of Lahore. Rasheed has won unopposed in LCCI corporate class election 2017-18.
On the occasion a large number of businessmen and industrialist were present. LCCI SVP Amjad Ali Jawa, VP Nasir Hameed Khan, ex president Kashif Anwer, former president Sheikh Asif, executive committee member Zeshan Khalil, executive committee member Awais Saeed Paracah, Traders Right Chairman Rao Khursheed and others were present on the occasion.
At the end corporate class winning candidates were congratulated and associate class candidates were introduced to the business community.
