Recently elected president of FPCCI, Haji Ghulam Ali has assured business community that his party Jamiat Ulma Islam (JUI) will opposed imposition of Reform General Sales Tax (RGST) in National Assembly. Addressing a dinner hosted by Khalid Tawab on Tuesday, he said that JUI has opposed imposition of RGST in senate and now it will also oppose it in National Assembly as well.
Criticising government attitude, Haji Ghulam Ali said that the government has no time to discuss issues with business community and added that they have to change their priorities to bailout trade and industry from prevailing economic crises. Former President and CEO Sonari Bank, Safar Ali Lakhani advised business community to return bank loans on time. He said that no bank like to go for court case with his customers for recovery of stuck-up loans and take possession of their property. He said every bank is concerned to have good relation with his customers and give them utmost services
Former president FPCCI and leader of the business community, S M Muneer advised the government to refrain from imposing unresolved and controversial RGST as it was not vetted by the stakeholders. Expressing worry over unresponsive attitude of government over deteriorating economic conditions, he said that the government making no serious moves for economic recovery. He said that the business community wants that democratic set-up should prevail. Worst democracy is better than dictators, he added. He said that even if all politics parties approved RGST even them business community would not agree to RGST. However, the business community may agree on RGST if government removes obstruction from it in consultation with FPCCI, he said.
Newly elected Vice President FPCCI, Khalid Tawab said that the country facing serious economic crises and added that newly elected president of FPPCI have capability to take up business community issues with government and get them resolved. Referring to RGST, he expressed that if it is implement it would further cripple economic conditions. Sultan Chawala emphasised the need of imposing income tax on agriculture income with will help generate Rs 500 billion additional income.