Islamabad: Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, conducted a meeting with key figures from the business communities of Sialkot and Gujranwala to deliberate on aspects of the upcoming federal budget and proposed taxation reforms. The discussion, held at the Finance Division, involved Haji Mehr Ghulam Mujtaba, President Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sialkot, and Sheikh Fazal ur Rehman Babar Khuran, President Anjuman-e-Tajiran Gujranwala, as part of an extensive outreach by the Ministry of Finance, Tax Policy Office, and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
According to Press Information Department, the Minister highlighted the significant contribution of Sialkot and Gujranwala to Pakistan’s export economy and industrial production. He stressed the importance of incorporating feedback from the trading community to develop a taxation system that is both efficient and business-friendly. The aim is to expand the tax base and simplify compliance for traders and the broader business sector.
During the meeting, traders expressed their perspectives on various taxation issues, including the implementation of Point-of-Sale (POS) systems and the simplification of existing procedures. They emphasized the need for transparency and trust-building between taxpayers and tax authorities. The business representatives appreciated the government’s proactive approach in engaging with them ahead of the budget.
The Minister assured the participants that the government is committed to addressing the legitimate concerns of the business sector. He pledged that proposed tax measures will be crafted in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. The session concluded with a mutual commitment to sustaining constructive dialogue between the government and the business community to promote economic growth and better tax compliance.
The meeting included virtual participation from several business leaders from Sialkot and Gujranwala, alongside senior FBR officials and representatives from the Tax Policy Office.