SCCI opposes restoration of field formation powers of FBR

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has strongly opposed the restoration of field formation powers of the Federal Board of Revenue regarding freezing bank accounts of defaulters without prior intimation of 24 hours and urged the government to withdraw its decision and restrain FBR from taking this anti-business action.

The FBR action would prove counterproductive to all the efforts being made by the government for ease of doing business, which should be reviewed in best interest of the business community, says Imran Khan, acting president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, according to a statement issued here on Thursday.

The acting SCCI chief said the restoration of FBR powers was tantamount to opening a new way of corruption, which need to be withdrawn at earliest. Otherwise, he warned that the business community will compel on protest and agitation.

Imran Khan informed that FBR had taken the decision to revoke the clause that made it mandatory to warn defaulters 24 hours before freezing their bank accounts.
He said there is hardly a paved way for a favourable business climate, which was altered by FBR through such anti-business action, which will never be in the best interest of the business community, and withdraw it immediately.

He termed the FBR action was hit on initiatives and efforts being made by the government for ease of doing business.