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The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) building. — Facebook/Kcciofficial/File
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KARACHI: The President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Mohammad Javed Bulani has criticized the Tax Ordinance Amendment 2025, in which it has been termed as a serious threat to the reactionary, anti -business and Pakistan’s already critical economy.
The Bulani praised the efforts and clear stance of MNA Dr. Mirza Akhtar Baig, who, who, noted, rightly pointed out that the ordinance contradicts the government’s goal of promoting a business friendly environment. He emphasized that key business agencies such as FPCCI, KCCI and other chambers have formally protested against the ordinance and questioned why such critical changes were made without parliamentary debate or industry consultation.
The head of the KCCI has called for the immediate withdrawal of the controversial ordinance, saying it includes tough and unprofessional provisions that will seriously disrupt businesses, discourage documents, and will further damage the private sector and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He warned that the permanent practice of putting a burden on the documentary and taxpayers is illegal and unstable.
“The most harmful aspect of the ordinance is to implement excessive advance tax demands based on the assumed income,” he said. “This poor approach ignores sector -related business cycles and climate change, especially affecting small and medium -sized businesses and export -based units that work on strict cash flow.” He added that such responsibilities could paralyze the working capital and that many businesses could be forced into default or closure.
Bulani also expressed alarm at the provisions that give discretionary powers to tax officials, including the option of freezing bank accounts and issuing notices for recovery without the first notice or proper action. He called it a violation of natural justice, saying that such unlicensed powers would promote the climate of fear and harassment, withhold business capabilities and remove investment.
He added that the ordinance has convicted non -compliance of the procedure. Due to technical issues, minor errors such as Maulvi errors or delays now attract severe fines, heavy fines and even criminal litigation. “Such sanitary measures are extremely irrelevant and reflect the lack of understanding of ground realities facing taxpayers – especially in a system that is still undergoing digital reforms,” he said.
Bilani argued that the amendment does nothing to expand the tax base. Instead, it puts extra burden on the people within the system, while leaving large informal sectors – including retail, real estate and agriculture. He described this electoral implementation as an economic injustice and formally discouraged.
Highlighting the unexpected capabilities of the tax policy as an important concern, Bulani criticized the use of an executive order to ignore parliamentary scrutiny. “Businesses need stability and explanation for long -term planning,” he said. “Repeated ad hoc changes to tax laws are just to stop fuel and investment.”
He added that the amendment also contradicts the government’s agenda of digitalization and simplicity. “Instead of reducing manual interference and promoting automation, new provisions increase the chances of complexity, paperwork and discretionary abuse – all of them discourage tax compliance.”
Bilani reiterated that the business community supports tax reforms, but insisted that all measures should be linked to justice, transparency and extensive consultation. “Reforms should focus on expanding the tax net, encouraging voluntary compliance, and ending harassment – not punishing those who pre -complying and punishing those who contribute to the economy,” he said.
He called on the government to start a comprehensive dialogue with trade and industry representatives before wearing further financial measures. He warned, “If this ordinance is not withdrawn immediately, the business community will not be left out to consider the united, nationwide protests to protect the economy and ensure its survival.”
