ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has expressed its willingness to amend tax scheme according to demands of traders, signalling potential shift in ongoing discussions over tax collection.

According to FBR sources, revised note could be issued promptly if traders agree, with proposed changes including exempting small traders from tax liabilities. One of significant amendments under consideration is simplifying income tax return form and issuing it in easy-to-understand Urdu. Additionally, there is proposal to exempt businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs 100 million from Sales Tax. Earlier, Rana Ehsan Afzal, Prime Minister's coordinator had asserted that government would not succumb to pressure from traders, insisting that retailers must be brought into tax net. However, he indicated that government remains open to negotiations. Nationwide strike observed by traders across Pakistan to protest recent hike in electricity bills and imposition of new taxes. They urged government to avoid imposing additional taxes on public, asserting that traders will not accept arbitrary tax demands. They warned that strike could be extended indefinitely if government does not rescind notification.