Islamabad, March 5, 2026: Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Aisha Farooq of the Regional Tax Office Islamabad (RTO) has said that the business community is the real engine of the country’s economy and its role in national development deserves recognition and respect.
She expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the Islamabad Flour Mills Association led by President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood. The delegation called on her at the RTO Islamabad to discuss taxation matters and challenges faced by the flour mills industry.
The meeting focused on key aspects of the taxation framework, regulatory alignment, and the need to strengthen public–private collaboration to enhance transparency, improve compliance, and create a stable and facilitative environment for ease of doing business.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Tahir Mehmood reiterated the business community’s commitment to fulfilling its tax obligations in the national interest. However, he highlighted several issues confronting the flour mills industry, particularly concerns related to withholding tax and its impact on the sector.
He emphasized that the flour mills industry plays a vital role in ensuring the steady supply of flour and other essential food items, adding that the sector requires a supportive and facilitative taxation regime to continue its operations effectively.
Chief Commissioner Aisha Farooq listened to the concerns raised by the delegation and assured them of the tax authorities’ full cooperation in addressing genuine issues of the industry. She stressed the importance of continued engagement between the tax administration and the business community to build trust and encourage voluntary compliance.
Both sides agreed to constitute a Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the tax authorities and the flour mills industry to review relevant tax returns and, if necessary, recommend revisions to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
Commissioner Income Tax Naveed Tareen, Additional Commissioner Shakil Anwar, Deputy Commissioner Awais Ishaq, Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Osama Abbasi, and IRO Rafaqat Hussain were also present at the meeting.
The ICCI delegation included Patron-in-Chief of the flour mills industry and Chairman of the ICCI Founder Group Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, ICCI Executive Member Sanaullah Khan, former Senior Vice President Chaudhry Mukhtar, former Executive Member Dr. Muhammad Usman, along with other representatives of the flour mills sector.
