GST, FED returns: FBR extends deadline

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Saturday night extended the date for payment and filing of sales tax and federal excise returns for tax period of March 2020. According to the FBR instructions issued to the field formations, the payment date been extended from April 15, 2020 to April 27, 2020.

The submission date of sales tax return has been extended from April 18, 2020 to April 30, 2020.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to constitute special courts for speedy trial of smugglers under the draft Prevention of Smuggling Ordinance 2020. The punishments have been considerably enhanced against smugglers under the Prevention of Smuggling Ordinance 2020.

The smugglers can be arrested by the designated customs officials and intelligence and security agencies without warrant under the Prevention of Smuggling Ordinance 2020. According to a tweet of the Ministry of Law and Justice Saturday, "At the Ministry of Law and Justice, we are working our way through emergency laws to provide a legal framework for COVID-19. Prepared draft of Covid-19 Prevention of Hoarding Ordinance 2020 & finalising Covid-19 Prevention of Smuggling Ordinance 2020," the Law Ministry tweet added.