Karachi, April 6, 2024 – The Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has voiced its strong disapproval of recent statements made by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regarding the involvement of tax lawyers in the newly introduced Tajir Dost Scheme, a tax simplification initiative aimed at shopkeepers and traders. In a letter addressed to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, PTBA President Anwar Kashif Mumtaz expressed concern over the FBR’s assertion that individuals do not need to pay fees or seek legal counsel for registration under the scheme. Mumtaz contended that such remarks unfairly place blame on members of the tax bar association, implying that lawyers are hindering the implementation of the scheme. “The fundamental right of an individual to engage a lawyer for legal assistance at a mutually agreed-upon fee cannot be undermined,” asserted Mumtaz. He cited relevant sections of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, and the Civil Procedure Code, which recognize the role of lawyers as authorized representatives to represent taxpayers before the FBR and appellate forums. The PTBA demanded the immediate removal of the announcement, warning that it could undermine the scheme’s effectiveness and potentially harm its outcomes. Mumtaz urged the government and FBR to refrain from marginalizing any profession for the sake of a publicity drive lacking substance. Echoing PTBA’s concerns, members of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Tax Bar Association passed a resolution condemning the FBR’s statement. While acknowledging the possibility that…