Govt engages traders over new tax law concerns

July 16, 2025 (MLN): To address concerns over Section 37A of the Finance Act 2025 and related tax matters, Pakistan’s Finance Minister and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a high-level meeting in Islamabad with representatives from the country’s business community, chambers of commerce, and trade organizations.

During the meeting, Senator Aurangzeb assured participants of the government’s full cooperation and transparency, emphasizing that the sole objective of the new law is to prevent large-scale tax evasion, not to target or harass legitimate, honest businesses, as Khurram Schehzad wrote in a post on X.

To address the concerns raised by the business community, it was decided that a special committee would be formed under the leadership of Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production.

The committee will also include Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Trade Rana Ehsan Afzal Khan, FBR Chairman, and nominated representatives from the business community and chambers of commerce.

This committee will engage in detailed consultations over the next 30 days to develop a mutually agreeable and practical solution, which will be presented to the Prime Minister and the federal cabinet.

Business leaders openly shared their concerns and suggestions during the meeting.

The government committed to seriously considering their input and pledged to move forward with consensus and trust.

It was agreed that every effort will be made to resolve transaction-related concerns and to avoid creating any undue difficulties for businesses.

As a gesture of goodwill, it was decided that the planned strike by the business community will be postponed until the committee completes its work.

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