Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kayani, held a productive consultative session with members of the business community at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Tax office in Karachi. The meeting aimed to foster collaboration, address concerns, and incorporate feedback from stakeholders into the upcoming federal budget.
During the dialogue, Minister Kayani underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to simplifying the tax regime. He stated, “Our objective is to introduce a simplified, transparent, and user-friendly taxation system that respects the ground realities of the business community. We aim to design a process that eliminates the need for complex consultancy and empowers taxpayers through a straightforward, one-page declaration format.”
The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure policy continuity, emphasizing that long-term fiscal strategies are being formulated to promote growth. He announced that the government is actively working to increase direct tax collection while gradually reducing the burden of indirect and withholding taxes to facilitate ease of doing business. Furthermore, he noted the success of the long-term tariff policy, aimed at systematically reducing additional custom and regulatory duties by 2030, ensuring a predictable environment for traders and industrialists.
Addressing the success of the Roshan Digital Account (RDA), the Minister stated, “The arrival of $12 billion through the Roshan Digital Account is a clear reflection of the unwavering trust that the public and our diaspora place in the government’s economic policies.” He encouraged the business community to utilize the expanded scope of these accounts, which are now available for international companies and individuals as a secure and efficient channel.
In a proactive move to support inclusive economic participation, the Minister directed the FBR to establish dedicated facilitation desks and appoint focal persons to support women entrepreneurs. He also instructed the DG Tax Policy to formalize a structured awareness mechanism, including monthly FBR-led open forums (Kacheris) across various Chambers of Commerce, to ensure that taxpayers have direct access to information and grievance redressal.
The business leaders present-including representatives from various prominent trade organizations-lauded the Minister’s initiative to engage directly with the grassroots business community during the budget-making process. They expressed confidence in the government’s inclusive approach to policy formulation.
Minister Kayani concluded by inviting the business community to submit comprehensive written proposals, emphasizing that the government views the business sector as a vital partner in Pakistan’s journey toward sustainable economic prosperity.