MULTAN, March 5th: Chairman, All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA)Mian Shakil Ashfaq has said that unlimited powers for Tax officers would promote corruption and cause of harassment for business community. Talking to mediamen here today, APSEA Chairman said that misuse of powers by the tax officials is highly unacceptable as it is nothing else but to harass the business community. He said that raids at business premises & markets , arrest of businessmen and attachment of their accounts and harassment measures by the staff of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are not only creating troubles but also widening the gap between the relations of he government and the business community therefore Prime Minister Imran Khan and Federal Finance Minister Asad Umer should take notice of the situation. Shakil Ashfaq said that this situation was promoting distrust ,uncertainty, unrest and anger among the business community and they clearly stated that misuse of powers by the tax officials is highly unacceptable as it is nothing else but to harass the business community . He said that raids at business premises & markets and harassment measures by the staff of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are not only adding to miseries of the businessmen but also affecting the Government's reputation.He said that Sections 38-B and 40-B of Sales Tax Act, 1990 are being harmfully misused by the officials of tax department therefore these should be withdrawn to ensure business friendly atmosphere in the country.
He said that foreign investors will not ready to invest in Pakistan until the government facilitates the business community for smooth running of businesses. He said that authorities are just busy to meet their targets..Shakil Ashfaq said that tarnishing the image of businessmen on media should not be allowed to any department. He said that prior notice should be served and businessmen should be given time to streamline their business matters, instead of conducting undue raids.
He complained that field officers of FBR are conducting raids on business premises along with media persons to give an impression of apprehending a thief. This, he continued, sends a very negative message to the importers who are very sensitive and "say they can not work with a thief."
