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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
HCSTSI slams FBR arrest powers in budget
Listen to article Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI) Acting President Ahmed Idrees Chohan has strongly condemned the inclusion of a new Section 37AA in the Sales Tax Act under the Federal Budget 2025-26. He called the amendment draconian and unconstitutional, saying it allows Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers to arrest any businessman, industrialist, CEO, or director merely on suspicion, without a warrant. He termed it the most dangerous legal provision in Pakistan's history. Chohan said the section empowers FBR officers to arrest and detain individuals for up to 14 days without court approval or a judicial warrant. "This violates justice and assaults constitutional rights and damages business freedom. What kind of financial reform instills fear among investors by allowing tax officials to arrest people?" he asked. "Is being an industrialist now a crime in Pakistan?" He questioned whether the government wants to promote business or drive investors abroad to business-friendly countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where no such arrest clauses exist. While the world promotes ease of doing business, Pakistan appears to treat entrepreneurs like criminals, he said. The HCSTSI leader said such arbitrary arrest powers don't exist in any developed or developing country. "If someone is evading taxes, a judicial system already exists. The FBR isn't a judicial body or law enforcement agency. It has no authority to arrest," he added. Chohan labelled Section 37AA as "economic terrorism" and a deliberate act of "capital destruction". He warned that if the clause remains, Pakistan's business community will feel unsafe and foreign investment will stay away.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
HCSTSI irked by meagre allocation for Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway
HYDERABAD: The office-bearers of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI) regretted that the federal allocated a mere Rs 15 billion in the 2025–26 PSDP for the Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) a strategic infrastructure project with a total estimated cost of over Rs 400 billion. They noted that at this pace, the project may not be completed even in the next decade. Such a symbolic and insufficient allocation reflects a serious lack of commitment and is tantamount to an injustice against Sindh and its vital role in Pakistan's trade and connectivity. The business community categorically rejects this approach and demands immediate and substantial funding to expedite the project. They said that although both governments have emphasised developmental objectives, digital reforms, and increased social sector allocations, there is a glaring lack of practical relief and structural support for small traders, manufacturers, and the broader business community. President HCSTSI Saleem Memon stated that initiatives like the SME Policy 2024–27, digital reforms in the FBR, the introduction of an automated refund system, and faceless audits are commendable steps. However, without timely and effective implementation, these initiatives may remain merely on paper. He cautioned that the imposition of new taxes on Cash on Delivery (COD), Digital Services and Digital Presence could severely impact small and emerging online businesses that are still in their nascent stages. Senior Vice President Ahmed Idrees Chohan pointed out the rise in withholding tax rates would further escalate the operational costs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, the federal budget failed to announce any relief in industrial electricity tariffs, time-of-use rates, or subsidies for SMEs, which is a significant shortcoming considering the ongoing energy cost burden. Vice President Shan Sehgal expressed concern over the increase in carbon levy, particularly the hike from 2.5% to 5% on furnace oil, stating that many small industries are still in transition and not yet fully equipped with renewable energy alternatives such as solar systems. This would further inflate production costs and hinder their competitiveness. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
HCSTSI, RDF organize two-day ‘Bachat Bazaar'
HYDERABAD: Under the directive of Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI) President, Muhammad Saleem Memon, HCSTSI in collaboration with the Regional Development Foundation (RDF), organized a two-day "Bachat Bazaar" at the Expo Centre, Hyderabad. The event was formally inaugurated by the Senior Vice President, Ahmed Idrees Chohan, Former Senator Aajiz Dhamrah and Faisal Jabbar Khan were also present at the occasion. While addressing the opening ceremony, Ahmed Idrees Chohan, appreciated RDF's Associate Director in Hyderabad Arshad Ali, Head of Programs Niaz Ahmed Siyal and especially Project Manager Aftab Soomro for their welfare initiatives. He remarked that in these times of high inflation, such discount bazaars are blessing for the public. He emphasized that providing essential commodities such as flour, lentils, sugar, rice, oil, vegetables, fruits, clothing and other household necessities at affordable prices is a practical step toward public relief. He appealed to the Sindh government to take permanent steps to support this noble cause by allocating a designated space in Hyderabad for a permanent discount bazaar to help citizens combat rising prices. The Chamber assured its full cooperation for all such initiatives. He further urged the public to take full advantage of the two-day event by purchasing quality goods at discounted rates. Former Senator Aajiz Dhamrah and Faisal Jabbar Khan, in a joint statement, expressed full support from the Sindh government for such public-friendly initiatives aimed at controlling inflation and providing relief to the common man. They also assured full cooperation with the business community and welfare organizations. Speaking on the occasion, RDF's Associate Director Arshad Ali and Project Manager Aftab Soomro shared that the bazaar featured stalls offering food items, vegetables, fruits, traditional cuisines, clothes and various household goods. They expressed immense satisfaction over the public's positive response, noting that the people of Hyderabad highly appreciate such markets. They also thanked all participating organizations for their support in setting up stalls. Sarwan Baloch, an expert in economic development and value chains from Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) a German-funded NGO also addressed the gathering. He stated that WHH is actively working on integrated projects focused on food security, employment and essential needs for underprivileged and vulnerable communities. He announced that 20 more discount bazaars would soon be organized across Sindh, including Hyderabad. Notable attendees included former MPA Nadeem Siddiqui, TDAP Hyderabad In-charge Salahuddin Abbasi, Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam, Suhail Qureshi, Asghar Khilji, Sanawwar Qureshi, Sikandar Ali Rajput, Ayub Shaikh, Idrees Memon, Ahmed Hussain Shaikh, Muhammad Yaseen Khilji, Irfan Arbiani, Kishor Kumar Bhatia, Irfan Memon and others. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Traders demand fair price list ahead of Ramazan
KARACHI: Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) leaders have asked the authority concerned to address the price list issues being faced by traders ahead of Ramazan. Traders have urged the district administration to ensure a fair and practical pricing mechanism aimed at averting unnecessary arguments between traders and the district administration during Ramazan. HCSTSI Senior Vice President (SVP) Ahmed Idrees Chohan chaired an emergency meeting of Hyderabad grocery and general store representatives at the chamber secretariat. During the meeting, the traders strongly protested against the conduct of officers and their representatives during price list inspections. They aired concern over the inappropriate behaviour, forced sealing of shops and the collection of fines in cash instead of official banking channels. They also criticised the deputy commissioner office for issuing price lists without consulting relevant business representatives, resulting in unrealistic prices that failed to reflect market realities. Meeting participants highlighted that prices of many essential commodities "fluctuate daily and, in some cases, even hourly". However, the district administration continues to enforce outdated price lists, often two months old, and penalises traders by sealing their shops and imposing hefty fines. Citing the example of spices, they pointed out that a single item could have more than six different varieties in the market, yet the official price list did not distinguish between them. This discrepancy repeatedly leads to conflict between the business community and the administration. Addressing the traders' concerns, the chamber SVP assured them that the HCSTSI had always been at the forefront of advocating the traders' rights and conveying their grievances to higher authorities and the chamber had consistently played a key role in seeking solutions. To tackle such pressing concerns, the chamber has formed a special committee comprising representatives of wholesalers, retailers, supermarkets, emporiums and general stores from different areas of Hyderabad including all four tehsils of Hyderabad district – Hyderabad, Latifabad, Qasimabad and Hyderabad rural. This committee will accompany the chamber's delegation in a meeting with the deputy commissioner to formally present their objections and propose practical recommendations before the issuance of Ramazan price lists. The goal is to ensure a fair and practical pricing framework that prevents unnecessary conflicts between traders and the administration during the holy month. The HCSTSI urged the government to take immediate steps to engage in meaningful consultations with the business community and put an end to the unfair treatment of traders. Ensuring a fair and transparent pricing mechanism is crucial to safeguarding business activities and maintaining market stability.
