PESHAWAR: The business community here has expressed concern over undue delay in payment of refunds of exports, income tax and sales tax despite announcement of Rs100 billion economic relief package by Prime Minister Imran Khan to support the industrial sector amid coronavirus emergency.

The issue was raised at a meeting of industrialists, exporters and manufacturers, which was held via video link here the other day.

It was presided over by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz.

The participants said that the industrial growth in the country was already stagnant owing to coronavirus outbreak and unnecessary delay in payment of outstanding refunds would create liquidity issues for them. They feared that the situation could lead to complete shutdown of the industrial process.

According to a statement, SCCI chief Anwar Pervaiz said that undue delay in payment of refunds of exports, income tax and sales tax to industries by the Federal Board of Revenue was beyond comprehension. He said that the federal government should resolve the liquidity issues being faced by the industrial sector amid crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. He urged the prime minister to order the relevant ministries and FBR to ensure immediate payment of all refunds.

The chamber’s president praised the government decision to defer payment of electricity and gas bills for next three months.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2020