SIALKOT: Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Dr. Raheel Ahmed Siddiqui has assured that all out sincere efforts would be made to resolve all the issues being faced by the Sialkot’s business community.
He said that the PRA would take the Sialkot based traders, industrialists and exporters into confidence, in this regard. He said that the Sialkot exporters have been playing a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy by earning foreign exchange to the tune of $2 billion annually.
He stated this while addressing an important meeting of Sialkot business community recently held at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here.
During this meeting, SCCI President Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed discussed in details the matters of mutual interest with the visiting Chairman PRA including Sialkot exporters’ problems regarding issuance of notices by Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) for deduction and deposit of Withholding Sales Tax on Services related to export industry, withdrawal of Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess and Integration of PRA and FBR systems to facilitate processing of refund of Sales Tax on Services.
He emphasized that the component of services in the export business was minor and processing of refunds would create hassle for the Department and the businesses, hence, export businesses should be granted exemption in deduction and deposit of Withholding Sales Tax on Services.
The SCCI President added that Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess should be withdrawn as exports were already adversely affected due to Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess. It was further proposed to ensure proper integration of PRA and FBR systems to facilitate refund of sales tax on services paid to PRA on Courier Services etc.
On this occasion, PRA chairman pledged to hold a meeting with a delegation of SCCI in his office at Lahore to discuss in details the matters of mutual interest, besides, devising a joint strategy to alleviate hardships of the Sialkot exporters on top priority.
