FPCCI seeks end to discretionary powers of tax officials.

KARACHI -- The FedeAration of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Wednesday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to withdraw tax officials' discretionary powers in order to avoid their misuse.

The chambers urged the FBR to work on providing relief to taxpayers, simplifying taxation law and restoring the diminishing confidence in the taxation system.

FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar and Convener Zakaria Usman said the chamber federation, after identifying a series of such provisions vesting discretionary powers had given concrete proposals to safeguard the interest of taxpayers against the misuse.

They lamented the FBR's decision to post inland revenue officers at business premises under Section 40B of Sales Tax Act, 1990 to monitor production, sales of goods, stock position etc as the move was outdated and unnecessary in the modern era of...