KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Muffasar Atta Malik, after thoroughly listening to the grievances being faced by Security Agencies in smoothly carrying out their businesses, assured that the Karachi Chamber, being the largest Chamber and actual representative of the business and industrial community, will approach Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) for holding a meeting at the earliest in order to discuss and review the unjust 10 percent General Sales Tax (GST) on Security Services.
Exchanging views with members of a delegation from All Pakistan Security Agencies Association (APSAA) who were led by Chairman APSAA Maj. (Retd.) Munir Ahmed during their visit to Karachi Chamber, Muffasar Malik said that SRB should review the unjust 10 percent GST on Security Services which had been raised earlier during the last visit of Chief Minister Sindh to KCCI who immediately directed Chairman Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) to discuss the same with relevant stakeholders but unfortunately, neither any meeting was held nor any follow up was carried out. KCCI will seriously take up this matter on priority basis in order to provide some relief to Security Agencies and their clients.
Senior Vice President KCCI Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President Rehan Hanif, Honorary General Secretary APSAA Tauqir ul Islam and others members of APSAA delegation and KCCI’s Managing Committee were also present at the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman APSAA Maj. (Retd.) Munir Ahmed said that it was the prime responsibility of the government to ensure security to the lives and property of citizens but as it was not being done effectively, the business community finds no other option but to hire private security guards, which results in additional expenses on security whereas the unjust GST on Security Agencies has further exacerbated the situation.
He said that it was highly unfair to levy GST on complete invoice value instead of only charging on Service Charges, which, if done, would substantially reduce the cost.
He said that providing security services is a very difficult job yet they are trying to deliver the best services as per expectations but it was very unfortunate that this important Services Industry suffer badly due to lack of support from the government. “The situation has slightly improved as some recognition is now being given to APSAA but overall, we are largely being ignored and continue to face discrimination”, he added.
