FBR, trader representatives to launch joint registration drives across country

ISLAMABAD - The federal government and traders' association leaders have reached an agreement to collaborate on registering shopkeepers for the Easy Tax Scheme across all four provinces, according to a review meeting chaired by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani. Trade leaders Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhry, Inland Revenue Operations Member Zubair Bilal, senior FBR officials, chief commissioners, and RTO Islamabad and Rawalpindi representatives joined the meeting, with RTOs and CTOs participating via video link.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the FBR and trader representatives would work together to devise strategies for facilitating registration in local markets, with officials from regional and corporate tax offices accompanying trade leaders at specific times. The state minister announced that a follow-up review would be held the following week to assess progress. Feedback from traders on the scheme was also considered during the meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated the Easy Tax Scheme to address traders' demands, and the government began implementing it. The minister announced that the first plaque for the scheme had been installed in Islamabad, fulfilling the government's commitment, and more would be placed nationwide the following day. Kayani emphasized that the scheme would expand the tax base while simplifying compliance for traders, and continuous monitoring would ensure its success.