Govt ready to consider convincing proposals for tax relief

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to PM/Federal Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan said Monday that the government had always stood for a just and equitable taxation which boosted the economy and strengthened the business industry.

"There is no point going for a taxation if it harms the industry and weakens the very sources of revenue generation," he said while talking to a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) which met with him at the FBR House here.

The delegation was led by FPCCI President Ghazzanfar Bilour while among others it consisted of its office-bearers and members, including Karim Aziz Malik, Atif Ikram, Chaudhry Javed Iqbal, Malik Sohail Hussain, Adeel Rauf and Hussain Sabri.

The top hierarchy of FPCCI had come to congratulate Haroon Akhtar Khan on his elevation as the Federal Minister.

The Minister assured the delegation that he was open to listening and presenting to the concerned quarters any proposal which made a solid and convincing case for tax relief to the industry or any sector in it.

"The government fully believes in boosting the industry and we are willing to work with the chambers and industry to ensure a level-playing field to businessmen and investors for earning rightful profit out of their investments," he said.

To the concerns expressed by the delegation regarding the mode of payment of sales tax refunds, the Minister assured them that the refunds would continue to be paid through bank accounts to prevent any delay or needless hassles associated with the manual processing.

"We started this mode of payment to facilitate the business community and we are committed to doing the same for the future," he said.

Earlier, the delegation proposed to the Minister that any amnesty scheme to bring the offshore assets and investments should be inclusive and be extended to the onshore businesses.

However, such schemes can only be successful if they were implemented in letter and spirit and are inclusive and all-encompassing in nature, leaving no weak areas that can be exploited by any quarter later on for motives running counter to the purpose of the scheme.

Haroon Akhtar Khan assured the delegation that the government would always value the suggestions and proposals of the chambers and the business community for firming up any policy measure.

He invited the chamber to carry out brainstorming among themselves and come up with sold and practical proposals and recommendations for consideration and incorporation in the next budget to boost the industry and the businesses.