Rawalpindi – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) held an emergency meeting to voice strong opposition to proposed provisions in the Finance Bill 2025-26 that would empower Inland Revenue officers to arrest company directors, CEOs, CFOs, and other corporate personnel.
RCCI President Usman Shaukat and Group Leader Sohail Altaf led the discussion, warning that unchecked arrest powers would open the floodgates to harassment, blackmail, and abuse of authority. “This move will destroy already fragile investor confidence and severely harm Pakistan’s business climate,” said Shaukat.
Altaf urged the Prime Minister to intervene immediately, cautioning that failure to withdraw the proposal could prompt a nationwide business strike.
Also attending the meeting were former RCCI President Najam Rehan, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, and executive committee members.
Objections to Solar Energy Tax
The RCCI leadership also condemned the proposed 18% sales tax on solar energy, calling it a step backwards in the country’s efforts to embrace green energy. “This budget offers no real incentive for industrial growth or exports,” they said.
The chamber emphasized that empowering the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to arrest taxpayers would only spread fear, halt economic activity, and push investors to relocate their capital abroad.
While reaffirming their support for tax accountability, RCCI warned that such punitive and aggressive measures would worsen uncertainty for businesses already grappling with economic pressures.
