ICCI Strongly Condemns Grant of Arrest Powers to FBR Officers; Announces National Business Convention in Lahore on June 17
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
In a swiftly convened press conference at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi conveyed profound concern over a contentious provision in the Federal Budget 2025–26, which proposes to confer arrest powers upon officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), enabling them to detain Chief Executive Officers and senior representatives of business entities without recourse to prior legal proceedings or judicial oversight.
Flanked by Chairman Founder Group ICCI Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, and former Presidents Mian Akram Farid and Shaikh Aamir Waheed, President Qureshi described the provision as “a direct assault on Pakistan’s precarious economic fabric and a regressive step that threatens to destabilize the already fragile investment climate.”
He cautioned that the delegation of unchecked coercive powers to tax officers will further erode investor confidence, deepen the trust deficit between the business community and the state, and imperil the continuity of industrial and commercial operations. “Such draconian measures, devoid of procedural safeguards, are not only antithetical to principles of natural justice but will also catalyze an atmosphere of fear and systemic uncertainty among entrepreneurs,” he asserted.
To mobilize collective resistance and formulate a unified response, President Qureshi announced that a National Convention of the Business Community will be convened in Lahore on June 17, wherein strategic decisions will be taken to counteract what he termed “anti-enterprise and constitutionally questionable policies.”
Reiterating that the business community is neither averse to taxation nor unaccountability, he underscored the imperative of upholding due process and legal checks to curb abuse of power. He pointed to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as a more constructive and constitutionally aligned avenue for dispute resolution, one that fosters compliance through dialogue rather than intimidation.
He called upon the Prime Minister, the Federal Finance Minister, and other senior policymakers to immediately revoke the controversial clause and initiate an institutional dialogue with trade bodies, chambers, and representative organizations. Furthermore, he appealed to Members of Parliament to oppose and strike down this clause during the ongoing budgetary deliberations in the National Assembly, in the broader interest of national economic stability and constitutional propriety.
“We are committed to contributing to the national exchequer, generating employment, and sustaining business growth — but not at the cost of our constitutional rights and personal security,” he concluded. “A resilient and inclusive economic recovery is unachievable without reinstating the private sector’s trust and sense of dignity.”
Other prominent voices echoed the ICCI’s position, including Chairman Founder Group Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, former President Mian Akram Farid, and Advisor to the President, Naeem Siddiqui, all of whom reaffirmed the urgent need for legislative restraint and institutional accountability.
The press conference was widely attended by a cross-section of stakeholders from diverse trade associations, industrial sectors, and market representatives. A comprehensive policy briefing was delivered by former Executive Member Mian Mohammad Ramzan, highlighting the fiscal and legal implications of the proposed measure. Notable attendees included Executive Members Malik Abdul Aziz, Irfan Chaudhry, Chaudhry Nadeem Ahmed, Sanaullah Khan, Imran Minhas, Malik Mohsin Khalid, Zulqurnain Abbasi, Ishaq Sial, and Ms. Shumaila Siddiqui, who expressed unanimous solidarity with ICCI’s call for a transparent, fair, and constitutionally compliant tax regime.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and PAF Hospital have agreed to strengthen cooperation for the welfare of the business community, with a focus on enhancing healthcare access and promoting well-being among entrepreneurs and employees.
During a meeting at ICCI, President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi welcomed Air Commodore ( Retired ) Raja Viqar Ali, Executive Director of PAF Hospital, and highlighted ICCI’s ongoing efforts to foster business growth, economic resilience, and social responsibility. He stressed the need for strategic alliances with leading healthcare institutions to safeguard the health of those who drive the nation’s economy.
President Qureshi reiterated ICCI’s commitment to supporting the business sector through progressive policy advocacy, capacity building, facilitation services, and health-focused initiatives. He emphasized that the well-being of business owners and their workforce is integral to sustainable economic progress.
In a detailed discussion, both sides agreed to collaborate on launching health awareness campaigns, organizing medical screenings, and ensuring access to quality healthcare services for ICCI members. The partnership aims to deliver long-term value through mutual engagement and socially impactful programs.
To mark the occasion, President ICCI presented a commemorative shield to Air Commodore Raja Viqar Ali in recognition of the budding partnership.
The meeting was also attended by Naeem Siddiqui, Special Advisor to the ICCI President; Ishtiaque Qureshi, Former Vice President ICCI; Umer Qureshi, ICCI Member; and other senior officials.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to forging enduring collaborations between the business and healthcare sectors for the collective good of the community.