KARACHI, Feb 6: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called for strengthening of Federal Tax Ombudsman's (FTO) institution through various amendments in FTO ordinance.

FPCCI has forwarded various recommendations to the Federal Government and these have been adopted as a unanimous resolution by business associations and chambers of commerce and Industry of the country.

"FTO be strengthened for its effective decision implementations for consolidating the gains made by the institution during the course of conducting its investigations over last 4 years," said Vice President FPCCI, Engr MA Jabbar in a statement here on Friday.

He praised the government for establishing FTO which during the course of conducting its business has identified many areas in tax laws requiring clarifications. The FTO has also identified areas in tax administration that require reforms.

MA Jabbar said the present government would earn the highest appreciation of business community if the identified areas are given due consideration for amending the FTO laws so that this institution could help boost the country's economy.

He said FPCCI through its recommendations has called that FTO should always be a person who is or has been a confirmed Judge of the Supreme Court. Any observation by FTO concerning the tax laws should always be regarded as a reasonable basis for appropriate legislative changes in the tax laws.

FPCCI has suggested that FTO should be empowered to issue stay orders where appropriate under provision 199 (4A) and the institution should be accorded financial and administrative autonomy as admissible under the law to superior courts. The FTO be given adequate authority to deal with all tax related matters even those which are pending before the FTO was established and for the purpose section 9 (2)(B) needs amendment, he said.

The apex business forum has also called for amendment in section 33 of FTO ordinance to make the recommendations by the FTO legally binding on all parties concerned. -APP