RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) Chairman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh has criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for issuing undue notices to business community, creating unrest among them.

“The PIAF had received a number of complaints of FBR officials using arm-twisting tactics against businessmen under the grab of Sales Tax Act Section 38b and 40b, which give them special powers to raid the business premises,” he said. He said that even after paying the duties and other taxes, the FBR officials stop the vehicles loaded with raw materials which are supplied to the big industries and ask for import documents from the drivers and then take the speed money when they don’t find their required documents.

Irfan Iqbal sheikh said the raids on industrial units and shops would hamper the economic activities. The Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar should take notice of the whole situation and restrain the FBR officials from entering the business premises. If there is an urgent need to take action against any particular industrial unit, the FBR officials should be directed to take concerned association on board, he added.

As such the Section 38b and 40b are being misused by the FBR officials that need to be checked; he said and stressed the need for promoting economic vitality by strengthening private sector as internal dynamism has faded away due to energy shortage.