LCCI urges govt to take notice of strike in income tax offices

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to take immediate notice of the strike in income tax offices, as it is causing multiple problems for the business community.

The LCCI office-bearers; President Farooq Iftikhar, Senior Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad in their joint statement on Monday said that the strike in tax offices has virtually brought businesses to a halt, as it is not only the revenue collection that has stalled for the last many days but also refunds due non-issuance of exemption certificates.

They said that the government should find amicable solution to the issue for early restoration of working at the income tax offices. They further stressed the need for taking appropriate measures are to avert any such strike in future. The strike causes undue damage to the economy besides sending negative signal to the foreign businessmen, who intend to make investment in Pakistan, they added.

They said that the cash-starved businesses in Pakistan were already facing multiple internal and external challenges while strike by the tax offices’ staff has further aggravated the situation.

The LCCI office-bearers suggested that if the government is unable to come to terms with the protesting employees of the Tax Department, it should make some alternate arrangements to facilitate the businessmen at the earliest.