ISLAMABAD: The traders' community represented by the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran on Tuesday conveyed to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that the enforcement of the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) condition in markets was linked with the full implementation of the agreement signed between the government and the traders' community on October 30th, 2019.

The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran expressed serious concern over what they termed the delay in full implementation of the agreement, and hinted at another strike call, if the agreement was not fully implemented. The issue was raised by the traders' community during a meeting with senior tax officials at the FBR House, here on Tuesday.

The traders ended the strike after reaching an agreement with the government on October 30th, 2020.

The agreement was announced by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, flanked by the then FBR Chairman, Shabbar Zaidi, and Jahangir Tareen during a press conference in Islamabad.

Out of 11 points agreed between the two sides, the FBR had implemented some points, but the remaining are still not implemented, despite passage of the Finance Act, 2020, traders told Business Recorder on the conclusion of meeting at the FBR House.

The condition of the CNIC was linked with the implementation of other measures, which are yet not implemented.

Traders indicated strike call in case the remaining points of the agreement are not implemented without any further delay.

The FBR has fully assured that the remaining points would also be implemented, they added.

Under the agreement, any shop of 1,000 square feet will be absolved from sales tax in consultation with traders, while the decision for the registration of retailers, who are doing wholesale business, will be taken in consultation with the traders' committee. The government also agreed it will soon reach out to jewellers association to resolve their problems on a priority basis. It was also agreed that the government will also review the tax turnover on low profit business.

As part of the pact, it was agreed that the government will introduce simple forms in Urdu language for filing tax returns and other matters related to business.

A delegation of central leaders of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran led by Central President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Ajmal Baloch met senior tax officials including Member Tax Policy Tariq Chaudhry and FBR Director General Retail.

The delegation members included Secretary General Muhammad Naeem Mir, President Anjuman-e-Tajiran KP Malik Mehr Elahi, Chairman Sindh Tajir Ittehad Jamil Paracha, President Anjuman-e-Tajiran Punjab Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha General Secretary Peshawar Shakeel Saraf. City Traders Union Karachi President Sharjeel Go Palani, Anjuman-e-Tajiran Punjab General Secretary Rauf Mughal, Vice President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sheikh Hafeez and leaders of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran discussed the agreement reached between the traders and FBR on October 30th.

Expressing strong reservations over non-implementation, the leaders of Anjuman-e-Tajiran termed the condition of identity card as "unworkable".

They asked the tax authorities to issue a simple tax return form and revise turnover tax regime in line with the terms of the contract.