SUKKUR. The President of the Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has expressed disappointment and concern over the federal budget, calling the tax collection target “unrealistic” and criticizing the government for imposing further taxes on existing taxpayers instead of implementing structural reforms.
The President noted that the budget failed to incorporate recommendations from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to support export-oriented industries and ignored pleas to withdraw the GST exemption for industries in formerly FATA/PATA regions, which will harm edible oil, steel, and pipe industries.
The SCCI also expressed concerns over the increase in capital gains tax, the impact on the construction sector, and the uncompetitiveness of the textile sector due to high power tariffs. The President urged the government to revisit these decisions and engage in consultations with stakeholders to ensure realistic tax collection and support industrial growth.