All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran President Ajmal Baloch, along with other office bearers, held an emergency press conference to comment on the government’s newly introduced simplified tax scheme for traders.

Ajmal Baloch said the press briefing was urgently called in response to the announcement of the new system, adding that traders have long demanded a simpler tax filing mechanism.

He said the government has now introduced an easier taxation framework under which traders will pay 1% tax on their annual turnover. He added that, in the past, tax forms were so complex that even educated individuals found them difficult to complete.

According to him, for the first time, the government’s economic team has designed a simplified system outside the traditional FBR approach, and the filing form has also been made available in multiple languages to facilitate traders.

He said traders are willing to pay taxes provided the process remains simple, transparent, and free of unnecessary complications.

Ajmal Baloch also criticized previous enforcement practices, stating that traders were often subjected to harassment in the name of Point of Sale (POS) inspections. Under the new scheme, he noted, businesses that file under the system will have a display board placed at their shops, while routine FBR inspections will not be conducted on them.

He added that traders paying a minimum annual amount of Rs25,000 would be exempt from tax audits under the scheme.

However, he expressed concern that the policy could be altered or weakened through bureaucratic interference, warning that any such changes would be unacceptable to the trading community.

He also said that adjustments would be made to account for already-deducted advance taxes on electricity bills, ensuring they are deducted from final liability.

Ajmal Baloch warned that if the scheme is changed or diluted, traders could return to street protests. He urged authorities to ensure the framework is implemented in its original form without modifications.

He further alleged issues in customs warehouse operations, claiming incidents of losses and missing goods, and called for stronger oversight reforms.

He appealed to the prime minister to reduce excessive bureaucratic control over taxation matters, saying business stability is essential for voluntary tax compliance and economic growth.