KARACHI: The government is in a “state of fiscal emergency” that can only be overcome by developing ‘working partnership’ with the business community, says chairman of the FBR.

Addressing members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, Salman Siddique said the FBR would extend maximum cooperation to the business community to address their complaints about payment and collection of taxes.

He suggested that the KCCI office-bearers should set up a committee to help the FBR resolve issues regarding refund claims of exporters.

Mr Siddique held out the assurance that all the refund claims would be handled expeditiously as compared to the past, adding that no malpractice by any official would be tolerated.

He said the Board’s revenue advisory council would be told to have working relationship with the KCCI and added that FBR’s functions would be restructured in consultation with members of the chamber.

He hinted at formation of “an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to improve relations with taxpayers”.—APP