By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) has expressed serious concern over reports that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has ordered scrutiny of tax records of over 480 top exporters. While the business community fully supports documentation of the economy and compliance with tax laws, any such measures must be transparent, fair, and undertaken in close consultation with stakeholders.
Senior Vice President LCCI, Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, stated that exporters are already operating under immense pressure due to high energy costs, increased input prices, global demand slowdown, and liquidity constraints. At a time when the government is emphasizing export-led growth and facilitation of exporters, abrupt and broad-based scrutiny initiatives could create uncertainty and negatively impact business confidence.
He emphasized that exporters should not be treated as suspects by default, and any review of tax records must be risk-based, evidence-driven, and time-bound, rather than blanket actions that may disrupt legitimate businesses. The SVP urged FBR to differentiate between genuine exporters and cases involving clear tax discrepancies, ensuring that compliant exporters are not harassed.
Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh further highlighted that Pakistan’s exporters are the backbone of foreign exchange earnings and employment generation. “Our exporters need policy consistency and confidence, not mixed signals. If facilitation is promised at the highest level, implementation must reflect the same spirit,” he added.
The LCCI called upon the FBR to engage chambers of commerce and export associations before initiating such actions, to develop a balanced framework that safeguards revenue interests without undermining export competitiveness. The Chamber also urged the government to align tax enforcement measures with its broader economic and export growth objectives.
The LCCI reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government and tax authorities to promote compliance, transparency, and sustainable economic growth, while strongly advocating for the protection of legitimate businesses from unnecessary procedural pressures.
