Sustainable Tourism Forum FPCCI & ICCD Jointly Hold Dialogue with Diplomats

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has apprised that the apex trade body has hosted a high-level
meeting with Dr. Wasif Ali Memon, Chairman of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), at FPCCI
Head Office Karachi. The meeting focused on resolving key tax-related challenges faced by the
business community, particularly in the services sector.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh highlighted concerns over delays in tax refunds, double taxation, and the
need for transparent and cost-effective refund procedures. He emphasized that abrupt
enforcement of new tax laws without stakeholder consultation increases the cost of doing
business and urged the formation of a joint committee to resolve outstanding issues between
FPCCI and SRB.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh appreciated the SRB Chairman’s facilitative appraoch and called for
incentives for indenters and a simplified registration process with a clear timeline. An FPCCI
proposal to reduce SST from 3% to 1% was discussed with Chairman SRB during the
consultative session.

In response, Dr. Wasif Ali Memon recalled his long-standing association with FPCCI members
from the time of his tenure in Pakistan Customs and agreed to forward FPCCI’s recommendation
on curtailing the tax rate on indenters to 1% to the CM House for consideration of Sindh’s
provincial cabinet.

Dr. Wasif Ali Memon clarified that SRB’s tax rate stands at a maximum of 15% and highlighted
the board’s taxpayer-friendly measures, including a two-minute only waiting time for visitors,
minimal FIR filings (only two in 15 years), and QR code-based incentives. The chairman assured
immediate processing of certified refund claims and simplified appeal procedures.

On the issue of indenters’ cases pending in the Supreme Court, SRB Chairman proposed a
meeting between SRB and indenters’ legal representatives to explore out-of-court settlements
and encouraged litigants to follow the example of voluntary tax-compliant indenters. He
acknowledged documentation hurdles in SRB registration and assured that unnecessary
requirements would be eliminated, in line with the Sindh Chief Minister’s directives.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President FPCCI, elaborated on challenges faced by
freight forwarders and indenters – including high tax rates and taxation on gross invoices. He
called for out-of-court settlements for ongoing litigations, nomination of a dedicated SRB focal
person for swift issue resolution, and an industrialization package. Incidents of alleged
high-hamdedness by SRB officials were also raised during the meeting.

SVP FPCCI demanded that the indenters who wish to register for sales tax in Sindh and embrace
documentation should be encouraged and facilitated by the means of not holding them
accountable for back dates for the time they were not registered. This will expedite registration
of indenters; who are playing an important role in the export-oriented industries.

In a significant development, Dr. Memon personally offered himself as the SRB focal person,
inviting stakeholders to meet him directly for the swift resolution of complaints, issues and
apprehensions. He proposed that stakeholder’ businessmen should form a committee under the
supervision of FPCCI for the same.

Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (M), Retd.

Secretary General