SCCI welcomes business facilitation committees

SIALKOT, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2026) Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), President Syed Ahtesham Mazhar,

has welcomed the federal government's decision to establish Business Facilitation

Committees across the country, describing the move as a major step toward safeguarding

exporters from unnecessary intervention by the income tax department.

ln a statement issued here on Monday, the SCCI President said the restoration of

the previous Fixed Tax Regime (FTR) had been a longstanding demand of the Sialkot

business community. He said the Chamber had consistently raised the issue over the

past two to three years through meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

and senior officials of the Federal board of Revenue (FBR).

Syed Ahtesham Mazhar said that during his most recent meeting with the Prime Minister,

he said the previous FTR could not be restored, however, the government would introduce

a mechanism to prevent arbitrary actions by tax authorities against exporters.

The ACCI President said the newly established Business Facilitation Committees would

ensure that exporters with up to 80 percent export-based business would not receive notices

or information requests from the Income Tax Department without the prior approval of the

relevant committee.

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He termed the decision a significant safeguard against unnecessary actions.

The SCCI President expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approving the

initiative. He also thanked Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif for consistently

supporting the Chamber's efforts and effectively presenting the concerns of Sialkot's business

community before the federal government over the past three years.

He further acknowledged the role of Bilal Azhar Kiyani, who headed the committee that held

several meetings before recommending the establishment of the Business Facilitation Committees.

He added that the Sialkot Chamber had also been given representation in these committees.

Syed Ahtesham Mazhar expressed confidence that the new mechanism would provide greater

confidence to exporters, protect them from undue interference, and contribute to increased

exports and sustained economic growth.