LAHORE, Aug 20: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Yawar Irfan has said the business community is willing to pay taxes, but undue interference of the tax department needs to be discouraged.

Speaking to a delegation of under-training investigation officers of the National Accountability Bureau here on Wednesday, he said if discretionary powers of the tax officials were withdrawn and interference reduced, the collection of revenue could be enhanced to Rs700 billion a year.

He said a record tax was collected under the head of sales and income tax by the Lahore region last year. “People are willing to pay sales tax, but afraid of undue interference.” —Staff Reporter