The Federal Board of Revenue has urged the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to actively promote the retailers scheme as part of efforts to expand the country’s tax base and distribute the tax burden more broadly. The request was made during a meeting between Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Karachi. The meeting was held during the chairman’s monthly visit to the city and focused on progress regarding issues previously raised by the business community.
The Federal Board of Revenue asked leaders of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to effectively campaign for the retailers scheme and encourage wider participation. The objective is to bring more businesses into the documented tax system and reduce the concentration of the tax burden on taxpayers who are already compliant. The initiative comes as the tax administration continues to engage with business organisations on measures aimed at improving compliance while addressing concerns raised by traders and other members of the business community.
The delegation was led by Saquib Fayyaz Magoon and included senior office bearers and business leaders from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Rashid Mahmood Langrial was accompanied by Member Inland Revenue (Operations), Member Customs (Operations) and senior officials of the Federal Board of Revenue. The meeting served as a follow-up to an earlier session between the tax authority and representatives of the business community, with participants reviewing developments on matters discussed during the previous engagement.
Representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry appreciated Rashid Mahmood Langrial’s decision to make monthly visits to Karachi, describing the initiative as a positive indication of the government’s commitment to maintaining direct and regular engagement with the business community. According to the delegation, continued interaction between the Federal Board of Revenue and trade bodies has improved communication and provided businesses with a more direct channel to raise concerns. The representatives said the regular meetings had helped ensure that issues could be discussed and addressed in a timely manner.
The business delegation also acknowledged progress on several matters raised during the previous meeting. It said that the majority of those issues had been resolved through the efforts of the Member Operations of Inland Revenue and Customs and their respective teams. The delegation described the response as encouraging for the business community, while stressing that outstanding matters would require continued follow-up. The representatives also brought several new concerns before the Federal Board of Revenue, including certain classification-related matters and old income tax refunds.
Rashid Mahmood Langrial and the Federal Board of Revenue team assured the delegation that both pending and newly raised issues would be taken up on a priority basis. The officials said the matters would be addressed in consultation with the relevant representatives of the chambers and concerned wings of the Federal Board of Revenue. The assurance reflects the tax authority’s stated focus on maintaining communication with trade bodies while seeking practical solutions to issues affecting businesses and taxpayers.
The Federal Board of Revenue chairman also reiterated the authority’s commitment to adopting a facilitative and responsive approach toward the business community. He said regular engagement with trade organisations, including the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, would continue so taxpayer concerns could be addressed promptly. Alongside these efforts, the Federal Board of Revenue is seeking support from business representatives for the retailers scheme, with the broader objective of bringing additional economic activity into the tax net and creating a wider base from which tax revenues can be collected.
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