Pakistan, Jan. 16 -- It is welcome news that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is prioritising reduction in the cost of doing business for the budget of fiscal year 2021-22. And there is no doubt that getting rid of excessive taxation and slashing compliance costs are essential steps in that direction. Yet it remains to be seen if the optimism of FBR Member Inland Revenue Operations Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmad was justified when he said at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) the other day that such steps would set businesses free by reducing their interaction with tax authorities.

There is no doubt that less interaction with tax officials would give industries more room to focus on expanding businesses, etc, but he should not ...