FAISALABAD, March 18: The Federal Board of Revenue will introduce a ‘shame and name scheme’ to pinpoint tax evaders and shortly notices will be issued to the people having vehicles and frequent foreign visits.

This was stated by Additional Secretary, Member FBR, Muhammad Raza Baqir, while talking to textile exporters, factory owners and traders on Monday. He said the bureau had decided to widen tax base by bringing at least 300,000 non-taxpayers into tax net. He said notices to them would be issued within the next couple of weeks. “Pakistan is amongst a few countries with less than nine per cent tax-to-GDP ratio. The FBR has compiled data of six million persons who possessed vehicles and frequently travelled abroad during the past few years.”

He identified refund as major issue and said all modalities had been finalised to start online refund system from June this year.

He clarified that two per cent Withholding Tax would be imposed only on the conversion charges in textiles but not on the total value of sizing, weaving and processing. He also assured that exports would totally remain zero-rated.

Rejecting the general perception that FBR officials involved in corrupt practices always escape punishment, he said many grade-21 officers were dismissed.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Zahid Aslam said businessmen were struggling for their economic survival owing to severe energy crisis as gas was available only for two days a week.

In the last days of the outgoing government, frequent Statutory Regulatory Orders were issued which was almost impossible for implementation, he added.

Aslam said sales tax refund claims to the tune of Rs40 billion were pending for payment to exporters and there would be another mess for refund claims.

Pakistan Hosiery Mills Association Regional Chairman Zia Alamdar, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association Regional Chairman Rizwan Ashraf, Power Looms Association Chairman Rana Akhlaq Ahmed and others also expressed their viewpoint on the occasion.