The advisory committee, established by the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), has suggested to pick-up additional agenda "to suggest measures for strengthening the FTO institution.
Engr. M.A.Jabbar, Vice-President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, who is a member of the Advisory Committee speaking in the first meeting of the committee here on December 30, said that recommendations have already been made in seminars held in trade bodies and as an outcome of workshop consultations.
Although these recommendations have been sent to the government, they will be more appropriate for the consideration of legislators and competent authorities, if these are sent through proper process by the Advisory Committee.
This way the target will be achieved, which will be in the overall benefit of the economy of the country, to help increase exports, motivate industrialisation, increase trade and give incentive for doing business, which is what the government desires.
Summing up the relevant sections of the Ordinance relating to the establishment of FTO, Engr. Jabbar said that involving the legislators in reforms of tax laws and tax administration is the direction and objective set for the advisory committee to meet.
He said that the professionals in the committee can put their skills and opinions together, and once that is done along with findings of 5000 cases examined by FTO, clearly identified irritants will be available.
The removal of these irritants with action plan, and remedial measures by clear positioning of the paper, with demerits of the existing sections and the merits of the proposed substituting sections, is the only way we must think about as a challenging task for the advisory committee.
He said that there are many pronouncements by superior courts on tax laws, which can also be borrowed in preparing recommendations.
The present state of affairs are such that the present prosecution law of Customs Act of Section 25 is based on GATT Code of Valuation, but the adjudications are made on the basis of something which is not prosecution law.
Sohail Altaf, acting President, FPCCI, also contributed ideas from his experience and said that there are many reports, but probably this advisory body is the appropriate forum which can borrow all ideas from other reports and add their identification for a meaningful document, which will be in the interest of the country to help in increasing the business.
Among the participants Masood Aziz was of the view, that we must recommend the required amendments in rules and procedures affecting the tax payers. Rehan Naqvi said that he concurs with the idea of identifying irritants in tax laws and removal thereof.
He also agrees with suggesting measures for strengthening FTO institution.
Dr Ikram-ul-Haq, international tax consultant, was of the view that we should also borrow from the developed tax laws from UK and USA.
He also indicated that he will send such comparison of tax laws of 10 countries, which may be helpful for the members of the advisory committee in making appropriate recommendations.
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