Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tuesday came hard on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for trying to implement widely-opposed and controversial SRO 821(I) 2011 by creating an impression that all the chambers of commerce and trade bodies are closely working to get it done through a phased programme. In a statement issued here, LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, Senior Vice President Kashif Younis Meher and Vice President Saeeda Nazar said that if an institution like FBR propels false information what the masses should expect from other government machinery.
LCCI office-bearers said FBR and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry are not on the same page on the issue as FBR wants documentation of the economy through this controversial SRO while LCCI believes that all the untaxed sectors should be taxed and enforcement of Professional tax needs to be strengthened. LCCI Office-bearers said Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its two meetings with the former Chairman FBR Salman Siddique has tried to convince him into withdrawing this controversial SRO but it is very surprising that only a day after his retirement the authorities have tried to give the impression as if it is an agreed proposal. Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is firm on its stand and calls for early withdrawal of SRO 821(I) 2011 as it is unrealistic and unjustified and any attempt to implement it would be staunchly resisted. LCCI office-bearers said the FBR should avoid implementing the SRO without the consultation of the business community for being the main stakeholders. They said that the SRO will have devastating effect on the businesses in Pakistan as the compulsory requirement of NTN or CNIC number of each and every purchaser or seller is practically almost impossible. They said that given the literacy rate in the country and lack of compliance culture in general masses it will be very difficult to obtain such personal details from the buyers or sellers of the goods. They said the concerned SRO will strangle the already crisis-hit businessmen in the country.
