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Karachi: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken strong exception to the arbitrary imposition of the condition to provide CNIC/NTN for the sales conducted to the unregistered persons notified through SRO NO.191 (I) 2012 dated 23rd February’2012.
Despite the objections raised by the KCCI through a number of communications and views conveyed to the Chairman, FBR regarding unacceptability of draft SRO, the FBR proceeded to issue the SRO.191 making it mandatory to provide CNIC/NTN of unregistered buyers in the Sales Tax returns filed by the registered persons from March’2012.
KCCI has been overwhelmed by representations from all sectors of business community including traders, importers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and industrialists, who have expressed deep resentment over imposition of such draconian measures without consulting the representative bodies of tax payers including the KCCI.
In a largely attended meeting presided by the Chairman, BMG group and former President KCCI, Mr. Siraj Kassam Teli held at the KCCI on 27th February’2012 leaders and representatives of the KCCI and affiliated trade bodies unanimously resolved to reject the SRO.191(I)/2012 and took the stand that business community will not comply with such arbitrary conditions which are detrimental to business and investment climate and will in fact bring the entire supply chain to a standstill if the SRO is not withdrawn immediately.
The participants expressed the view that they will face a sharp decline in business if they comply with the new conditions under SRO.191 because all of their unregistered customers will divert to other illegitimate sources of supply which do not require CNIC or NTN.
The meeting was also attended by former Presidents KCCI and Vice Chairmen BMG Mr. Tahir Khaliq, Mr. M. Zubair Motiwala, Mr. Haroon Farooki, Mr. Anjum Nisar, President, KCCI Mian Abrar Ahmad, Senior Vice President KCCI Mr. Younus Muhammad Bashir, VP KCCI Mr. Zia Ahmed Khan, former Presidents KCCI Mr.A.Q.Khalil, Mr. Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, Mr. Mohammad Usman, Chairman PYMA, Mr. Najmuddin Chughtai, Chairman PCDMA, Mr. Muhammad Haroon Agar, Former Chairman PCDMA, Mr. Rafiq Bilwani, Chief Patron of various trade associations based in Karachi, Haji Ghulam Mohammad and Mr.Shamoon Baqar Ali of Steel Association, members of the managing committee of KCCI and a large number of businessmen affected by the SRO191.
The leadership of KCCI and BMG group have taken the decision to constitute a committee comprising the representatives of KCCI, and leaders of affiliated trade bodies affected by the conditions imposed through SRO.191 to take up the issue with highest authorities in the country to demand the withdrawal of the controversial SRO.
Members of business community and leaders of various trade bodies unanimously supported the decisions taken in the meeting at KCCI and deliberated on the line of actions to be taken to protect the trade and industry from total paralysis as a result of the newly implemented rules under SRO.191.
For more information, contact:
M. Shafiq Baig
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road,
Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Karachi-74000
Tel: +9221 9921 8001 -09
Fax: +9221 9921 8010
Email: pro@kcci.com.pk, pro2@kcci.com.pk
Website: http://www.kcci.com.pk/