Islamabad: Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, the President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), has highly appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for taking timely notice of the business community’s concerns by constituting a special committee to review and tighten controls over the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) proposed powers to arrest companies’ executives.
ICCI President termed the Prime Minister’s intervention as a welcome step that reinforces the government’s commitment to protect law-abiding taxpayers from undue harassment. “The business community is the backbone of the national economy and plays a vital role in employment generation, revenue creation, and overall economic stability. Any move that discourages or intimidates compliant businesses could prove counterproductive,” said Nasir Qureshi.
He lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s clear stance that the proposed arrest powers under the Finance Bill 2025-26 must never become a tool to harass or intimidate the genuine business community and investors. “It is encouraging to hear the Prime Minister reaffirm that the honour and respect of traders must be preserved and that only willful and major tax evaders should be targeted,” he added.
Nasir Mansoor Qureshi also welcomed the Prime Minister’s directive to make necessary amendments in the proposed provision and to align it with the rulings of the higher courts, while consulting all coalition partners in Parliament. He emphasized that such inclusive and prudent policymaking is essential for building a business-friendly environment in the country.
The ICCI President recalled that the business community had raised strong concerns over the proposed powers, warning of their potential misuse. In an emergent press conference last week, the ICCI leadership had termed the clause as “draconian,” urging the government to ensure that legitimate businesses are not subjected to unjustified pressure or harassment.
He reiterated that the Chamber and the wider business community stand firmly with the government’s efforts to enhance tax compliance, provided such measures are fair, transparent, and focused on widening the tax net rather than penalizing those already contributing. “We believe that sustainable economic prosperity can only be achieved through close cooperation and trust between the public and private sectors,” he added.
Nasir Mansoor Qureshi hoped that the government will continue engaging with stakeholders and adopt policies that promote ease of doing business, strengthen investor confidence, and facilitate the growth of industries—leading to a stronger and more resilient national economy.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
