ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that with the cooperation of the business community, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made considerable headway with regard to withholding tax (WHT) and it was important now to conclude the matter in a smooth manner.
The minister stated this in a meeting with representatives of trading and business community here on Wednesday where special assistant to PM Haroon Akhtar, Member National Assembly Mian Abdul Mannan, MNA Pervez Malik, FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan and other senior FBR officials were present, adding that settlement of the matter would give further boost to economic activities and contribute to economic growth.
The minister was briefed by the FBR team on the progress of negotiations with the traders. He expressed his appreciation for the representatives of trading community for their continued engagement with the government and their contribution in suggesting measures to improve the system.
Dar said the government was encouraging growth of formal economy and expansion of the tax net while simultaneously taking steps for facilitation of the taxpayers. He said the business community has an important role to play in revenue generation and economic progress of the country which is fully recognized by the government.
Prominent representatives of business community who attended the meeting included All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) Chairman Khwaja M. Shafiq, Naeem Mir, Secretary General Ajmal Baloch, President Chaudhary Mehboob Ali Sarki, Punjab President Muzammail Sabri, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Amir Waheed, Punjab Sugar Dealers Association General Secretary Asad Mashadi, RCCI President Aslam Bhalli and others.