Coordination between government, businessmen urged
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Fazal Moqeem Khan has said the government needed to meet tax targets and enhance revenue which could only be achieved through the collection of various taxes by the business community.
Moqeem, in a press statement issued on Saturday, said hurting business and trade was tantamount to inflicting losses on the economy.
Therefore, he emphasized, the government should take collective initiatives and resolve all issues through proper consultations and mutual consensus.
The SCCI chief mentioned that action had been taken against a restaurant yesterday which was an attempt to discourage investors and the business community, and urged that steps damaging business and economic activities be avoided.
He stressed that it was a dire need of the hour that the government understand the current economic conditions and prevailing circumstances, and emphasized the need for building consensus between both sides on the issue.
Under the collective approach, the government must take the business community into confidence through positive collaboration, the SCCI chief added.
He went on to say that, instead of adopting harsh measures, strict implementation, and the closure of businesses and economic activities, the government should provide a relocation chance to the business community.
He added that the chamber, business community and stakeholders should be consulted before taking any such initiatives to prevent creating a gulf between government, institutions and business community so that they can continue to play a role in economic development through the payment of various taxes.
The SCCI chief demanded that the government officials who had issued the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the establishment of the restaurant 25 years ago be brought to justice.
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