KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail criticized the federal government’s decision to grant Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) powers to arrest businessmen.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi today (Sunday), the former finance minister said that granting FBR powers to arrest businessmen was unnecessary and called it a tool for harassment.
“The government’s tax policies had already burdened the business community, and now the arrest powers to FBR will further shake confidence of businessmen and it will pave way for harassment,” he added.
Miftah Ismail highlighted that the government had imposed a condition upon taxpayers to submit total tax amount as “identified” by FBR commissioner. “Like, if the commissioner asked a person his outstanding tax dues amount to Rs500 million, he first has to pay the entire amount before filing a review plea, which is totally unjust,” he added.
Miftah Ismail also said such conditions would not increase revenue, but would fuel anxiety among the business community. He added that the FBR still had Rs 700 billion in income tax refunds, which they had not yet been paid.
The PML-N added that previously there was a condition to submit 10 percent amount and avail the review option. “Everyone knew once the money was deposited to FBR, it couldn’t be reclaimed,” he added.
Referring to the increase in petroleum products, the PML-N leader said that the current indicators showed that about Rs30.5 would be further increased in petroleum prices, which in turn may further lead to a hike in the price of basic edibles.
“The IMF programme for Pakistan was currently suspended, while the World Bank also withdrew its $600bn and the ADB also froze its payment,” he pointed out, adding that Pakistan’s plan to get IMF funding restored through US talks was unfeasible and may have repercussions.
The opposition in the Senate earlier this week also demanded the government to revoke the absolute powers granted to FBR officials for making arrests without warrants. Federal Minister for Law, Farogh Naseem, had assured the Upper House that the provision would be toned down.
