Traders Threaten to Take to Roads Against Arrest Powers of FBR
The Finance Bill 2021-22 granted fundamental powers to the FBR to arrest and prosecute taxpayers over concealment of income
After the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax inspectors have been given powers to arrest tax defaulters, the decision has been strongly opposed by the traders and businessmen of Lahore who termed it as an “unnecessary and harassing tactic”.
The Finance Bill 2021-22 granted excessive powers to the revenue body to apprehend and prosecute taxpayers over concealment of income.
The decision was also censured by former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail as he believes that this would only lead FBR officials to harass the traders and businessmen.
Later, the proposed changes say that all officers of Inland Revenue (IR), starting from the Assistant Commissioner, could arrest a taxpayer accused of a tax offence without even filing a complaint before a special judge.
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Talking to News360 about the powers of arrest under Article 203-A, Pakistan Industrial & Traders Association Front (PIAF) Chairman Nauman Kabeer said that the traders raised their voices from the platform of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI).
Complying with Miftah Ismail’s school of thought, the chairman expressed that the clause is going to spoil the relates between the traders and FBR.
He threatened that if the terms aren’t settled by the government, the traders and businessmen will opt for a nationwide protest and observe a wheel-jam strike against the arrest powers of FBR.
Moreover, former president of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Irfan Iqbal Sheikh told News360 that session 203-A is not acceptable for traders under any circumstances.
