Govt urged to consult traders on Benami accounts law

LAHORE: Traders on Monday demanded of the government to consult them before tabling the Benami Account Transaction Bill before the National Assembly. 

Central General Secretary Naeem Mir of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT), addressing a press conference, urged the government to take the body on board as they are largely holding Benami accounts.

“All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran is representative of the benami account holding traders,” Mir said. “We also represent the unregistered sector.

The government is going to constitute a Benami Account Prohibition Law without consulting the account holders’ representing body.” 

He said the Bill has no inputs from traders.

The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran also demanded of the government to extend the deadline for the Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme till 30th June instead of extending the scheme for 15 days every month.

Mir said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) could take action against the traders under Benami Account Prohibition Law. “This indicates that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is a futile,” he said. “Now, NAB and FIA will do the task of the FBR to collect revenue.” 

The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran secretary said the government should consult the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, chambers, tax bars and trade associations and constitute a committee representing them and FBR officials.

“We are totally against transactions under Benami accounts and we support the government that all businesses and transactions under Benami accounts should be ceased but its way is wrong,” he said.

“The NAB should first refer the case to this committee and on directives of this committee the National Accountability Bureau would pursue the case against Benami account holders.”

Mir said an All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran delegation will also meet with the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday in Islamabad and raise their concerns on this.