KARACHI: The Federa­tion of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to withhold recovery of tax demand till such time a decision of appeal is not made.

The FPCCI pointed out that the time limitation of granting stay for recovery of arrears from registered persons by Commissioner Inland Revenue appeal under Sales Tax Act, 1990 should not be restricted to 60 days.

FPCCI further stated that the provision is also not in conformity with the various judgments of the High Courts and Article 201 of the constitution which says that recovery proceeding cannot be initiated until a decision of at least one independent forum is announced.

The apex body of trade and industry demanded that appeal should be heard by a person who is not under the administrative jurisdiction of FBR. Presently, the FPCCI maintained, that first appeal forum is headed by FBR’s officer which means he/she would world under the influence of FBR.

An independent forum will not only facilitate taxpayers for speedy dispensation of justice but also reduce the workload of superior courts, the FPCCI contented.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2018