Peshawar, January 7, 2026 — The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has submitted comprehensive proposals to the Federal Tax Policy Office (TPO) for inclusion in the upcoming federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27, calling for wide-ranging tax reforms to promote growth, investment, and ease of doing business.
The proposals were presented by SCCI President Junaid Altaf during the inaugural consultative session on budget recommendations for FY27, held at the chamber house under the auspices of the Tax Policy Office. Director General Trade Tax Policy Office Islamabad, Dr Najeeb Ahmad Memon, along with Directors Ejaz and Naeemul Hassan, attended the session as keynote speakers.
The Tax Policy Office has initiated consultations from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to gather input from chambers of commerce and key stakeholders across the country for framing a business-friendly and growth-oriented federal budget.
Addressing the session, President Junaid Altaf welcomed the government’s consultative approach and stressed the need for incorporating the chamber’s recommendations into the budget. He emphasized consistency, transparency, simplification of tax laws, and elimination of anomalies and duplication in the taxation system to ease difficulties faced by businesses.
The SCCI chief called for a reduction in high tax rates, resolution of online system glitches affecting timely filing of returns, and phased implementation of the Point of Sale (POS) system. He also raised serious concerns over the digital invoicing regime, stating that the business community has been facing significant operational challenges since its introduction.
SCCI proposed broadening the tax base without overburdening existing taxpayers, reducing corporate tax to 29 percent, maintaining GST at 18 percent, and introducing policies to support growth and exports.
Former SCCI presidents and committee heads highlighted anomalies in sales tax, income tax, customs regulations, and export policies, urging long-term, consistent tax reforms. DG Tax Policy Office Dr Najeeb Memon assured participants that their proposals would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the upcoming budget to ensure sustainable and trader-friendly tax solutions.