ISLAMABAD, FEB 5 /DNA/: Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Ms. Aisha Farooq of the Regional Tax Office Islamabad has said that the business community is the real engine of the country’s economy and its contribution to national development deserves utmost respect and recognition.
She expressed these views while talking to a delegation of the Islamabad Flour Mills Association led by President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood, which called on her at the RTO Islamabad and held a productive meeting regarding taxation matters and challenges being faced by the flour mills industry.
The meeting focused on important aspects of the taxation framework, regulatory alignment and the need to strengthen public–private collaboration in order to promote transparency, improve compliance and create a stable and facilitative business environment for ease of doing business.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood reiterated the business community’s strong commitment to fulfilling its tax obligations in the best interest of the country. He, however, apprised the Chief Commissioner about various issues confronting the flour mills industry in the region, particularly those related to withholding tax and its impact on the sector.
He emphasized that the flour mills industry plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth supply of flour and other essential food items, and therefore requires a supportive and facilitative taxation regime to continue its operations effectively.
Chief Commissioner Ms. Aisha Farooq patiently listened to the concerns raised by the delegation and assured them that the tax authorities would extend full cooperation in addressing genuine issues of the industry. She underscored the importance of continuous engagement between the tax administration and the business community to strengthen trust and promote voluntary compliance.
Both sides unanimously agreed to constitute a Coordination Committee comprising representatives from the tax authorities and the flour mills industry to review the relevant tax returns and, if deemed necessary, recommend revisions to arrive at a mutually agreeable way forward.
Commissioner Income Tax Naveed Tareen, Additional Commissioner Shakil Anwar,Deputy Commissioner Awais Ishaq, Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Osama Abbasi and IRO Rafaqat Hussain were also present on the occasion.
The ICCI delegation included Patron-in-Chief Flour Mills Industry and Chairman ICCI Founder Group Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, ICCI Executive Member Sanaullah Khan, former Senior Vice President Chaudhry Mukhtar, former Executive Member Dr. Muhammad Usman, along with other representatives of the flour mills sector.
