May 13, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1424

KARACHI, May 12: The Managing Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has suggested various amendments to the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance.

The suggestions were unanimously approved at the managing committee meeting of the FPCCI held on May 8 in Lahore. The FPCCI has approached the president, the prime minister and other ministries to seek support for appropriate amendments to FTO Ordinance in order to strengthen the institution.

The FPCCI suggested that the FTO always be a person who is, or should have been, a confirmed judge of the Supreme Court. Any observation by the FTO concerning the tax laws should always be regarded as a reasonable basis for appropriate legislative changes in the tax laws.

The jurisdiction of the FTO be extended to include all functionaries dealing with tax matters, the FPCCI said adding the FTO should be empowered to issue stay orders where appropriate Under Provision 199 (4A).

The FTO should have financial and administrative autonomy as admissible under the law to superior courts.

The FTO should have adequate authority to deal with all tax related matters whether pending before the FTO or otherwise. And to give effect to this suggestion Section 9(2)(B) of the FTO Ordinance may be suitably amended.

Section 33 of the FTO Ordinance (informal resolution of dispute) may be so amended as to make the recommendations of the FTO legally binding on all parties concerned.