Karachi: Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani visited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to meet with representatives of the trading and industrial community. The meeting focused on a briefing about the newly operationalized “Asaan Tax Scheme” and its mobile application, with attendees from Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur, including trade and shopkeeper associations.

According to Press Information Department, the scheme was introduced in response to demands from traders and shopkeepers for simplified tax processes and aims to expand the national tax net. The initiative features a user-friendly registration process with an Urdu-language form for online submission. Shopkeepers will pay a one-percent tax on their declared annual sales turnover, with taxes deducted through utility bills being fully adjustable. Enrolled retailers will receive a green registration plate to prevent routine questioning by FBR personnel and will generally be exempt from audits, POS machine installations, and acting as withholding agents.

Minister Kayani also announced that senior FBR officials, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, will spend one week each month in Karachi to resolve commercial grievances. This initiative began in August to provide immediate relief for traders. Local trade organizations and the KCCI expressed appreciation for Minister Kayani’s engagement and Prime Minister Sharif’s efforts to address business sector challenges.