President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, while expressing concern, criticised the obstinate blocking of 4500 sales tax registration of business units for no reasons. In a press note, Abdul Majid, while rejecting the adamant action by Regional Tax Office (RTO), stated that such activity will thrive the miseries faced by the business and industrial circles, as the commercial activities are already in doldrums, owing to manifold problems viz. energy crisis, increased financing rates, deteriorating law & order situation, high utilities tariffs, multiplicity of taxes resulting as an upshot to the cost of manufacturing and doing business.

Abdul Majid voiced that such is a regrettable act depriving the tax-payers from their legal and lawful rights, as no obligation has been given to the affected units, while providing them their legitimate opportunity to enlighten the concerned authority regarding their position which has widely spread discontentment and unrest, and this blockage should have not been done without issuing of notices.

Abdul Majid informed that KCCI was under discussion with FBR about finalizing the parameters against which profile of a tax-payer could be changed or blocked and a clarification should be sought from the tax-payer. Only when there is no genuine clarification only then after a due notice any profile could be blocked, he said.

Abdul Majid stated that KCCI, is maintaining regular liaison with FBR and tax-authorities, whereas executing such action without consulting KCCI and other stakeholders is surprising. Abdul Majid also lamented that this is also against the understanding between KCCI and FBR, that KCCI will be kept in confidence if any major steps are taken by the FBR.

Abdul Majid informed that KCCI being the stakeholder of the business community has always raised high voice for the protection of legal rights of its members. He said that it has been observed that such exercises aggravate the problems of the business community.

Abdul Majid articulated that such harsh initiative, without issuing the notices and providing a chance, to tax-payers to justify their position, is highly inappropriate and demanded to de-block the sales tax registration units. Abdul Majid warned that their will be serious repercussions if there is continuous harassment to the business community and websites are being blocked, resulting in loss to trade and industry.