PBIF proposes reforms in FBR

KARACHI: Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of the FPCCI and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday proposed meaningful reforms in the tax administration, aimed at end dependence on loans, bridge deficit and reduce poverty, while making the country’s defence stronger, a statement said.

Significant reforms in the FBR can accelerate development of social sector and eradicate poverty, as the social safety programmes suffer from reduced allocations; hence, unable to cater to the needs of 10 percent population, he said.

Hussain said that the FBR should be made an autonomous institution, a system of tax judiciary should be established and tax audits should not be on the discretion of the commissioners but through balloting.

"Our federal and provincial tax system lacks harmony, as well as democracy, which is imperative to bridge deep mistrust between collectors and taxpayers," he added.