Karachi, November 12, 2025 – Dr. Wasif Ali Memon, Chairman of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), has assured the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) of swift resolution of provincial tax issues that have been affecting business operations in Sindh.
During a high-level consultative meeting, Dr. Memon expressed SRB’s full commitment to creating a taxpayer-friendly environment and ensuring smooth business activity across the province. He pledged to forward FPCCI’s proposal to reduce the tax rate on indenters to 1% to the Chief Minister House for the consideration of Sindh’s provincial cabinet.
The SRB chairman clarified that the maximum SRB tax rate is 15% and emphasized the organization’s pro-business initiatives, such as a two-minute visitor waiting time, minimal FIR filings (only two in 15 years), and QR code-based incentive programs. He also promised immediate processing of certified refund claims and simplified appeal procedures to enhance transparency and trust between taxpayers and the board.
Addressing pending indenters’ cases in the Supreme Court, Dr. Memon proposed a meeting between SRB and the legal representatives of indenters to explore out-of-court settlements. He encouraged taxpayers to follow the example of voluntary tax-compliant indenters and vowed to eliminate unnecessary registration documentation, aligning with the Sindh Chief Minister’s directives.
The meeting also discussed major tax challenges faced by the services sector. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh raised concerns about refund delays, double taxation, and abrupt enforcement of new tax laws without stakeholder consultation, which he said increases the cost of doing business. Sheikh urged the creation of a joint committee between FPCCI and SRB to resolve persistent tax-related issues.
He appreciated Dr. Memon’s cooperative and facilitative approach and called for incentives for indenters and a simplified registration process with defined timelines. The FPCCI proposal to reduce the Sindh Sales Tax (SST) rate from 3% to 1% was also deliberated during the session.
Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President FPCCI, highlighted the taxation challenges faced by freight forwarders and indenters, including high tax rates and taxes on gross invoices. He recommended out-of-court settlements, appointment of an SRB focal person for rapid issue resolution, and an industrialization support package.
He also raised concerns over alleged instances of high-handedness by SRB officials, urging for improved taxpayer facilitation and trust-building measures. Magoon further suggested that indenters willing to register for sales tax should be encouraged and exempted from retrospective liabilities, to speed up documentation in export-oriented industries.
In a key development, Dr. Wasif Ali Memon personally volunteered to act as the SRB focal person, inviting FPCCI and other business stakeholders to directly approach him for swift complaint resolution. He also proposed the formation of a stakeholder committee under FPCCI’s supervision to enhance coordination and policy dialogue between the business community and the Sindh Revenue Board.
Key Meeting Highlights
| Topic | Details / Decisions |
| Meeting Date | November 12, 2025 |
| Chairperson (SRB) | Dr. Wasif Ali Memon |
| Key Participants (FPCCI) | Atif Ikram Sheikh (President), Saquib Fayyaz Magoon (SVP) |
| Main Proposal | Reduction of SST on indenters from 3% to 1% |
| Commitments by SRB | Faster refunds, simplified appeals, taxpayer facilitation, registration reform |
| Pending Issues Discussed | Indenters’ Supreme Court cases, double taxation, refund delays |
| Agreed Actions | Form FPCCI-SRB Joint Committee, consider tax rate cut, explore out-of-court settlements |
| Special Initiative | SRB Chairman to act as focal person for complaint resolution |
| Future Steps | Cabinet review of tax rate proposal, formation of stakeholder committee |