PESHAWAR: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is seriously considering to bring Afghan nationals doing business in Pakistan under the tax net and soon a policy decision will be taken on the issue in board's meeting.
"We are facing some technical problems as the NTN (National Tax Number) cannot be issued to non Identity Card holders as a result of which the issue is being delayed," said Khawar Khurshid, Member Inland Revenue FBR while talking to businessmen during his visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday.
Khawar Khurshid said FBR is considering all options including issuance of NTN to Refugee Cards holder and the practice of 'Kafeel', followed in Gulf countries, and a final decision to be taken to expand the tax net.
"We have to find a way out to this problem because this practice cannot continue any more where local businessmen are taxed and the foreigners are exempted", he added.
Earlier, President KPCCI, Usman Bilour, while appreciating the decision of FBR, stressed upon Member Inland to take practical measures for taxing Afghan businessmen. He also offered Chamber's assistance in this regard.
Usman Bilour said according to a survey report only in Peshawar around 12000 Afghan nationals are doing business and the figure may reach in hundred of thousand if the scope of this survey is extended to the whole of the country.
Replying to the points raised by businessmen during their brief speeches, the FBR official assured them that Prime Minister's Relief package for the terrorism hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province will be implemented in letter and spirit.
He dispelled the impression that a lobby in FBR is trying to sabotage implementation of the package by using delaying tactics. He said some delay is caused due to confusion in understanding wordings of SROs and soon all the grievances of business community will be removed.
Member Inland FBR also directed DG RTO and other high ranking officials to fully ensure complete abiding of PM's package and take practical measures for providing relief to the people of KP who have suffered a lot due to ongoing war against terrorism.
Khawar Khurshid also discussed issues with businessmen and on some problems issued on the spot directives. He also apprised CNG pumps dealers that they have been given one year exemption in Advanced Income Tax and the refund will be made by FBR.
Speaking on the occasion, businessmen including Zahid Shinwari, Muhammad Ishaq, Nauman Wazir, Malik Niaz, Zia Sarhadi mostly dealt at delay in refund of sale tax and income tax.
They demanded early implementation of Prime Minister's Relief package and complained that not only a single case of refund is made in any sector by the FBR. Later, President KPCCI, Usman Bilour thanked Khawar Khurshid for visiting terrorism hit Peshawar city.
He said the business community will also appreciated if Chairman FBR pays a visit to Peshawar and meet with businessmen of the province before finalizing decisions for the upcoming budget.
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