Former President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malik has urged the government to revisit Sections 37A and 37B of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, in consultation with key stakeholders, to restore investor confidence and ensure sustainable growth across all industrial sectors. In a statement issued on Saturday, he emphasized that these controversial provisions, which grant extensive discretionary powers to tax officials, including arrest and prosecution have created an environment of fear and uncertainty among both domestic and foreign investors. “The business community fully supports transparent and fair tax collection mechanisms,” he said, “but strongly opposes harassment and undue interference that disrupt ease of doing business and damage industrial productivity.” He warned that unless corrective measures were taken, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will continue to decline due to arbitrary legal provisions and an unpredictable taxation framework. “Reviving investor trust is essential for achieving economic stability and long-term growth,” he added. He called on the government to prioritize economic reforms that ensure legal protection, policy consistency and a secure business climate.