The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), an apex body of chambers in the country, on Friday demanded an immediate relief package for small traders to bail them out from existing crisis in the wake of loadshedding.
While talking to APP, FPCCI Chief Zubair Ahmad Malik said that small traders, a nursery for chambers of commerce and industries across the country, were facing genuine problems in doing business due to loadshedding. He said the government must provide relief package to them to strengthen the national economy. Malik further said that FPCCI firmly believed in broadening of tax net but on the other hand the Federal Board of Revenue should also fully facilitate the tax payers through one-window operation by simplifying and streamlining the cumbersome procedure of payment of taxes.
He said a 5-member high-level committee of the PFCCI also held marathon meeting with the FBR to work out a viable strategy to address all genuine grievances being confronted by the business community and corporate sector which he added was main source of tax collection and revenue generation besides playing a key role in boosting the economic activities in the country.
Zubair said that both the FBR and the PFCCI would send their working papers coupled with comprehensive report to the federal finance minister for final decision to provide solace to the business community.
He said the FPCCI and all its affiliated chambers and registered trade organisations were one page to extend co-operation with the government in stamping out the menace of terrorism in the country. SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik said that the federal finance minister who was also former president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry had fully assured to address the genuine problems of the entire business community on priority. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attached importance to the welfare and betterment of the traders and all commitments made by him during electioneering would be honoured in a phased programme.
He said that entire business community including the FPCCI and all chambers would fully support the federal government in launching successful crackdown against power and gas pilferage throughout the country.
Regarding small traders, he said they were integral part of the business community and the FPCCI would help solve their problems by taking up with higher authorities.
