MULTAN: Traders across the country have rejected the advance tax notices issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the so-called business-friendly scheme, demanding the withdrawal of these notices.
They also called for the abolition of the 2.5% tax under section 236H on all products, warning that it would trigger a wave of inflation. Representatives of traders from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Sialkot, and other cities joined an online meeting with FBR Member Mir Badshah Khan, demanding the withdrawal of the business-friendly scheme and advance tax notices. Multan was represented by Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui and Ehtisham-ul-Haq.
In this regard, trader representatives from across the country participated directly in the meeting at the FBR office in Islamabad, accompanied by regional tax officers at their respective tax houses. During the meeting, representatives from Multan, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Islamabad, and Sialkot expressed their concerns about the advance tax and business-friendly scheme to the FBR Member, outright rejecting them and offering suggestions.
Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui, President of the Chamber of Small Traders in Multan, and Chairman Ehtisham-ul-Haq represented Multan. In his remarks, Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui emphasized that the advance tax and the theoretical business-friendly scheme should be abolished, and the advance tax notices should be withdrawn as they are impractical and will open new avenues for corruption within the FBR.
He suggested that amendments can be made to the business-friendly scheme under section 99, with traders’ input, and should be approved by the Ministry of Revenue to make it workable and acceptable. Notices could be issued using NADRA data and electricity bills to levy tax according to income. He also mentioned that the government’s tax target of Rs12,750 billion could be raised to Rs 40,000-50,000 billion under the business-friendly scheme, and Rs100 billion could be collected by activating section 153. He urged the government to withdraw the advance tax notices sent to major cities, warning that if this is not done, the country, already plagued by issues, will face further problems, potentially leading to a point of no return.
He urged that these issues be resolved before the strike call for August 28. The business community will cooperate and consider the interests of the country, traders, and their children. He also called for the inclusion of millions of traders who are not registered for income tax, as well as ensuring that NTN holders file their returns, which would also generate revenue for the FBR. Additionally, the 2.5% tax imposed under section 236H should be abolished as it would lead to a new wave of inflation.
Chairman Ehtisham-ul-Haq stated that after the strike call for August 28, today’s meeting is meaningless. The government and FBR should first resolve traders’ issues before discussing taxes. He emphasized that only policies formed with the consultation of the business community would be practical. He assured that the business community, through the August 28 strike, will compel the government and FBR to yield.
Present on the occasion were Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Sajjad Tasleem Azam, Additional Commissioner Muhammad Qasur Hussain Shah, Assistant Commissioner Mashooq Hussain, and Mohsin Bilal.
In the online meeting with FBR Member Mir Badshah Khan held at the Regional Tax Office in Multan, President of the Chamber of Small Traders, Multan, Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui, and Chairman Ehtisham-ul-Haq discussed the issues with the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Sajjad Tasleem Azam, Additional Commissioner Muhammad Qasur Hussain Shah, and Assistant Commissioner Mashooq Hussain.
