Sargodha, June 15, 2025 – The Sargodha Tax Bar Association (STBA) has strongly condemned the recent remarks made by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb during his budget speech, in which he suggested that taxpayers would no longer need the services of lawyers or tax practitioners to file their returns.
In response, the STBA convened an emergency meeting of its Cabinet and Executive Committee on June 12, 2025, under the chairmanship of its President, Muhammad Tasauwar Mufti, Income Tax Practitioner (ITP). The meeting focused on analyzing the implications of the minister’s statement and formulating a unified stance on behalf of the legal and tax practitioner community.
During the meeting, members of STBA expressed serious concern and disapproval over the finance minister’s claim that, moving forward, “there will be no need for any advocate or tax consultants” in the tax return filing process. The association unanimously agreed that these remarks were not only unwarranted but also showed a lack of appreciation for the vital role tax professionals play in Pakistan’s complex taxation system.
The STBA emphasized that simplifying tax return filing is a positive goal, but implying the redundancy of tax practitioners undermines their expertise, hard work, and the trust taxpayers place in professional advisors to ensure compliance with tax laws. Such statements risk discouraging professional tax guidance, which could ultimately harm both the taxpayers and national revenue collection.
In solidarity with the broader tax community, the STBA announced its full support for the letters already submitted by various tax bars to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for an immediate clarification and retraction of the minister’s remarks.
Furthermore, the association has urged the Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) to take urgent notice and raise the issue at the highest forums to defend the integrity and contribution of tax professionals across the country. The STBA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the role of legal tax advisors and ensuring that their voice is respected in all national financial policymaking.