ACCA organized a high-level conference on Finance Act 2019 in Lahore. The event featured contributions from regulators, policy advisers, leading tax experts and senior ACCA members.
Prominent conversation leaders included Javed Ahmed, Chairman, Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA), Ashiq Ali Rana, Acting President, Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA), Irfan Ilyas FCCA, Partner, Irfan & Co, Muhammad Arshad FCCA, Partner, Arshad Law Associates, and Omer Zaheer Meer FCCA, Chair, ACCA MNP.
Speaking at the event, Javed Ahmed, Chairman, PRA informed, “PRA is actively working with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and all provincial tax authorities towards the harmonization of tax laws to ensure fairness and help with ease of doing business in Pakistan.”
He further said that he agrees with the 12 tenets of tax promoted by ACCA and his organization is working along similar lines. He specifically appreciated the role of ACCA in providing timely feedback and future-focused thought leadership to help the agency with developing a tax system for a digital future.
Sajjeed Aslam, head of ACCA Pakistan in his speech said,
“As we stare into the face of climate crises around the world, ACCA wants to shine the spotlight on how our tax systems can really evolve to become a force for good, one that works for our societies and our planet.”
Speaking about the digitization of tax collection tools, Haroon A. Jan, Regional head of Member Affairs, ACCA said,
“Tax administrations have always looked to the latest technological developments to assist in the task of effectively collecting taxes from the population. The current shift in the digitalization of the global economy is an opportunity presented to national tax collectors to make a change in the efficiency of their processes.”
A large number of tax practitioners and business professionals attended the session. The event was followed by a networking dinner and a musical night.