ICCI asks Government to resolve strike issue of traders through dialogue

Islamabad, October 29, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called upon the government to start dialogue process with the striking traders to resolve their issue peacefully. Muhammad Ahmed Waheed President, Tahir Abbasi Senior Vice President and Saif ur Rahman Khan Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the current situation of the country and state of economy could not afford strikes and shutdown of business activities while traders across the country were on strike.

They appealed to the Prime Minister and Federal Finance Minister to give due consideration to the demands of traders that have forced them to go on strike. They said that instead of enforcing tax laws in one go, government should adopt a gradual approach to broaden the tax base. They said that it was difficult for small traders to maintain accounts of their income and expenses and if they were registered in sales tax, it would enhance their cost of doing business.

They said it was proposed that instead of registering the small traders, government should encourage them towards a fixed tax regime and resolve traders’ issues gradually. They urged that FBR should engage traders in dialogue process as traders also wanted to resolve this issue through talks.

Muhammad Ahmed Waheed said that due to the current situation of the country, many persons were not able to file income tax returns by the deadline viz. October 31, 2019. He appealed to the Federal Finance Minister and Chairman FBR to give at least one month’s extension in the last date of filing of income tax returns so that maximum persons could be able to file their tax returns.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2250526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +92-51-2252950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk, info@icci.com.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk