PESHAWAR: Business leaders have called on the government and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to expand the tax base instead of imposing new taxes, and to take concrete steps to simplify existing procedures.
The demand was raised during an awareness session on “Tax Culture and Taxpayer Facilitation,” organised in collaboration with the FBR’s Tax Facilitation Wing at the Chamber House.
Speakers said that despite difficult economic conditions, KP’s business community wants to remain part of the documented economy, but complicated tax procedures and related challenges are discouraging new registrations.
The session was chaired by SCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, while Secretary Tax Education and Facilitation at FBR, Muhammad Mutiur Rehman, Second Secretary (Tax Facilitation) Abdul Rehman, and Javed addressed the participants.
Traders pointed out multiple hurdles—including complex tax processes, difficulties with digital filing platforms, compliance challenges, and confusing fiscal documentation—and urged the FBR to take practical steps to address these issues and streamline the entire system.
They stressed the need for open communication from tax authorities to remove fear and mistrust among the business community, improve understanding, and restore confidence.
Muhammad Nadeem highlighted the importance of awareness, guidance, and hands-on support for businesses, noting that simplifying procedures would broaden the tax base and enable more people to contribute to the national economy.
The SCCI SVP also outlined the challenges faced by KP traders, including high logistics costs, instability, lawlessness, and other obstacles that have slowed commercial activity. He urged authorities to address these issues to support business growth and economic development.
Earlier, Mutiur Rehman reiterated that the FBR follows a zero-tolerance policy against misconduct toward traders. He assured participants that concerns regarding the digital integration deadline would be conveyed to senior officials and resolved promptly.
He also asked the SCCI to help bridge communication between taxpayers and the FBR’s facilitation wing, and proposed that a taxpayer checklist be uploaded online for ease of access. He further assured that SCCI’s recommendations would be fully considered in the upcoming federal budget.
