He explained that the priority is not to increase the burden on small traders but to collect due taxes fairly from bigger sectors that often escape the system.

Qazi Hifz ur Rehman stressed that small businesses will not be overburdened. He added that the tax authorities are fully aware of the problems faced by small traders and have introduced measures to provide them with a better business environment.

However, he expressed regret that despite these efforts, the tax collection statistics from the business community remain unsatisfactory. He called on all sectors to play their role in strengthening the economy through fair submission of returns and timely tax payments.

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“The government has not imposed any new tax this year and our aim is to get tax from those sectors that are evading their due tax share since long. We will catch the big fish soon that have not been paying their due taxes and are on our defaulters’ list,” he remarked during a meeting with the visiting delegation of Sindh Tajir Ittehad led by Jameel Paracha, said a statement issued here.

President Sindh Tajir Ittehad Jameel Paracha stated that his association has played a vital role in bringing the non-tax paying traders under the umbrella of FBR. He affirmed his full support for imparting awareness among the trading community pertaining to timely compliance of voluntary tax payment and action against the tax evaders by the regional office.

The government is signaling a change in tax strategy — going after the big evaders instead of burdening small traders. This could bring fairness to the system, but the real challenge will be enforcing it effectively. Without strong compliance, tax evasion may continue despite good intentions.