RAWALPINDI - An urgent meeting of trade associations of Rawalpindi was held here at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Wednesday to discuss the prevailing situation arising out of raids and closure of business centers by Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The meeting was chaired by RCCI President Mian Humayun Pervez and was attended by a large number of trade associations’ representatives, including Sheikh Sadiq, Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, Malik Zahoor, Sharjeel Mir, Chaudhry Iqbal, Tariq Jadoon, Zahid Bakhtawari and members of the RCCI executive committee.

RCCI President Mian Humayun Pervez said that PRA should not harass traders in the name of tax collection. He urged the government to stop this harassment.

“We have received complaints from traders that their business centers have been raided and sealed without serving any notice,” he said, and added, “RCCI is an appropriate platform to address such issues amicably.”

Pervez also asked the government, especially the FBR, to extend the date for filing annual tax returns as most of the tax consultants were away in Saudi Arabia in connection with Hajj or on Eid holidays.

The traders said that they paid taxes and played an active role in boosting trade activities. “We are the backbone of the country’s economy,” they said.

“PRA staff misbehaves with us; treats us like as we are criminals. This is very worrying as by doing this they hurt our ego and reputation and thus our businesses suffer,” they protested.

“If they continue this practice, we will call a strike and jam the whole city,” they announced.