LCCI rejects proposed powers to FBR to arrest businessmen

LAHORE: Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Engineer Khalid Usman, has categorically rejected the proposed discretionary powers to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), including the authority to arrest businessmen.

He was speaking at the All Chambers Convention presided over by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh.

Engineer Khalid Usman said that such excessive powers will not only disrupt the business environment but will also create a sense of insecurity among the business community. He said that the FBR already possesses significant powers and any further addition, especially the power to arrest, would severely damage business confidence in the country.

He urged the government to simplify and rationalize the taxation system to encourage more people to voluntarily enter the tax net instead of creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The business community is the backbone of the national economy and ignoring their concerns is neither wise nor productive.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025