PESHAWAR: The business community has urged central government to make the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s (FTO) laws and rules business-friendly and facilitate the taxpayers.
The demand was made by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Fazal Muqeem Khan during a meeting with FTO’s provincial adviser Sardar Ali Khawaja here on Wednesday.
SCCI senior vice-president Abdul Jalil Jan, vice-president Shehryar Khan, member of the SCCI’ executive committee Mujeebur Rehman and others were also in attendance.
Officials from FTO secretariat Peshawar were also president on the occasion.
Fazal Moqeem apprised the FTO adviser regarding grievances of the business community and called for prompt actions to address them.
“FTO has played a vital role in providing relief to the business community,” the SCCI chief said.
He asked the business community to benefit from the services offered by FTO in case of any complaints against Federal Board of Revenue and its subordinate institutions regarding maladministration, injustice, and officials’ discriminatory attitude.
Fazal Moqeem termed the FTO as an effective forum for the business community to address their complaints about income tax, sales tax, customs and federal excise duty.
He stressed the need for strengthening close liaison between the chamber and FTO department.
On the occasion, Mr Khawaja underscored the FTO’s mandate to promptly address taxpayers’ concerns and provide necessary legal support to them.
He assured the business community that FTO would continue its effective role to resolve taxpayers’ problems.
“FTO is a businessmen and tax payer-friendly institution working to provide them relief in limited time by redressing their complaints,” Mr Khawaja said.
He highlighted that tax-related complaints can be registered online or via telephone. “Complaints can be lodged through the FTO website, email, and the mobile app – FTO Portal – which also facilitates online hearings after investigations,” he explained.
The FTO adviser reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to expediting redressal of taxpayers’ grievances and safeguarding their legal entitlements.
Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2025
