ISLAMABAD: In order to get support of business community during difficult political scenario, the government accepted the demand of trade bodies and formed a tax reform commission to resolve tax issues within four months.
The commission formed with a view to facilitating the general public about taxation issues and
upgrading the current taxation system, the Federal Minister for Finance, Senator
Muhammad Ishaq Dar has approved the constitution of the “Tax Reforms
Commission”, said a press release issued by finance ministry.
The opposition parties, especially Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf and Pakistan Awami Tehrik in their ongoing sit-in on several occasions pointed out the tax leakage in the system.
According the details of the the Commission it shall undertake, review and rationalization of
direct and indirect taxes; customs tariff rationalization; review of autonomy and
administrative structure of FBR and creation of border force to deal with illegal
movement of persons and goods across the international borders. The Commission
may also take up any other related issue.
“The Government has a firm resolve to promote tax culture in Pakistan but it
is also equally important that the grievances of the people are addressed and their
suggestions are acknowledged for improving our taxation system. Reform and
rationalization are the key objectives of constituting, this Commission”, said the
Finance Minister.
The Commission will comprise of 20 members and may co-opt any other
person with prior approval of the competent authority. The following will be the
members of the Commission:
1. Mr. Masood Naqvi, FCA (Chairman)
2. Senator Usman Saifullah (Member)
3. Mian Abdul Manan, MNA, Representative of traders (Member)
4. Mr. Bashir Ali Muhammad, Industrialist (Member)
5. Chairman, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry or
his nominee (Member)
6. President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry or his nominee
(Member)
7. President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry or his nominee
(Member)
8. President Peshawar Chamber of Commerce and Industry or his nominee
(Member)
9. President Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry or his nominee
(Member)
10. President Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (Member)
11. President Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (Member)
12. Mirza Qamar Baig, Ex Federal Secretary (Member)
13. Professor Azhar Akram, Academician (Member)
14. President All Pakistan Tax Bar Association (Member)
15. Mr. Ashfaq Tola, FCA (Member)
16. Mr. Abid Shahban, Advocate Supreme Court (Member)
17. Mr. Farrukh Jawad Pani, Advocate Supreme Court (Member)
18. Mr. Ramzan Bhatti (Customs) (Member)
19. Mr. Farooq Malik (IRS) (Member)
20. Chairman FBR (Member/ Secretary)
The Commission may avail the services of any expert(s) on need basis. It
will finalize its recommendations in120 days. FBR will provide Secretarial
services to the Commission.
The umbrella of trade bodies in the country, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in its Shadow Budget presented in May this year demanded single stage single digit sales tax to tackle with tax frauds and corruption, besides benefits should be passed on to consumers.
The finance minister in its budget speech accepted the demand and promised to form a commission. After almost three and half months, the government decided to declare the names at a time when the government is under criticism on various fronts.
Government constitutes tax reform commission to get business community support
