RCCI Condemns Illegal Taxes, Harassment by FBR

RAWALPINDI( WNAM REPORT ): President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI),  Usman Shaukat, joined the protest camp of gold jewelers and strongly condemned the imposition of illegal taxes and ongoing harassment by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Expressing solidarity with the jewelers’ community, Mr. Shaukat stressed the urgent need to resolve issues related to sales tax and point-of-sale (POS) declarations for jewelers. He further emphasized that gold trading, similar to currency trading, should be allowed to ease pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
Mr. Shaukat also called for the immediate establishment of a Gems and Jewellery Authority to address long-standing concerns, including export documentation, value addition, and enhanced access to international markets.
Union leaders present at the camp warned that if FBR raids and harassment do not stop, they would be compelled to announce a nationwide shutter-down strike. They highlighted that rising gold prices and inflation have already dealt a severe blow to the jewelry business and urged the government to resolve these pressing issues without further delay.
The protest camp was also attended by RCCI Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Executive Members Akhtar Amin, Naveed Kanwal, Malik Ateeq, trade representatives including Sheikh Asif Idrees (president Central Sarafa Bazar association Rwp Is )Rana Abdul Qudoos (President), Haji Ghulam Mustafa (FPCCI Member), Barrister Rehan Javed Rana (General Secretary), Naqash Shirazi (Senior Vice President), Waseem Ali (Vice President), Ahmad Rao (Joint Secretary), Ehsan, Khalid Mehmood, along with office bearers of the Murree Road Jewelers Association and members from across the Rawalpindi Division.