KARACHI: Daroo Khan Achakzai, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has urged the Prime Minister Imran Khan to take note of the go-ahead signal given to FBR raiding teams for conducting raids - arbitrarily and unilaterally - on any premises without any warrant of area Magistrate, prior notice or allowing the accused a chance of explanation, on the pretext of leakage, prior to raids thus creating a great deal of concern and anxiety amongst the business circles.

He argued that it had created harassment and fear amongst the trade and industry as the discretionary power vested with FBR officials might be misused to serve their ulterior motives and is against the fundamental right of a citizen and Constitution of Pakistan.

This FBR step is contradictory to the Imran Khan’s recent statement for initiating business friendly economic and commercial policies in consultation with the apex trade body of the country, FPCCI as these policies have a direct bearing on trade and industry.

The FPCCI Chief in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, has appreciated the Prime Minister’s statement for initiating business friendly policies in consultation with FPCCI and for revamping of FBR if its performance is not improved upto the mark.

Achakzai, President, FPCCI lamented, “ The FBR instead of setting its own house in order and identifying black sheeps in its ranks and files has again resorted to draconian law, which reminds of colonial rule, at the cost of business community “.

He added that it would serve as a disincentive for the potential taxpayers to come in the tax net and run as counter-productive to the government efforts of broadening of tax base through pursuation instead of prosecution. He apprehended that it would also erode the confidence of a taxpayer in the tax law, a pre-requisite for success of any scheme.

Achakzai citing another example of high handedness of FBR about exclusion of the names of those taxpayers from the Active List of Taxpayers (ATL) issued on 1-3-2019 who have filed their income tax retur by the extended due date, mainly because of overloading and slow speed of FBR system, has urged Imran Khan to classify them as Filers.

He argued, “This is against the true spirit of law and an anti-facilitation measure for taxpayers who have fulfilled their responsibility as compliant taxpayers. It will also run as a counter-productive to the government efforts for broadening of tax base and documentation of economy.