SPECIAL REPORT
Islamabad, August 2,: Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) Chairman, Saleem Wali Muhammad, expressed concern over the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) abrupt implementation of e-invoicing through SRO 1413 (l)12O25 from August 1, 2025. Calling the move disastrous for businesses, Muhammad cited the lack of taxpayer training and advocated for educational sessions and workshops before implementation. He demanded the FBR Chairman postpone enforcement until complete awareness is achieved.
Muhammad criticized the FBR’s impractical e-invoicing schedule, stating it ignored the challenges faced by small businesses. He highlighted the widespread unavailability of adequate computer systems, technical expertise, and information among taxpayers, along with power outages and limited resources. These factors, he stated, make immediate implementation impossible.
The Chairman condemned the FBR for implementing the system without stakeholder consultation or an awareness campaign. He questioned the sudden deadline for business registration, voucher generation, and invoice issuance without any preparation. He added that despite requests from businesses for a 60-day extension, the FBR’s response remained unclear.
He proposed a phased approach, beginning with public limited companies, followed by gradual inclusion of assessors and other sectors. He questioned the rationale of enforcing compliance on small businesses while the system was not yet effective for large companies with turnovers exceeding one billion rupees.
The PCDMA Chairman expressed his members’ willingness to learn upon being provided invoicing training. He stated, “I am ready to acquire knowledge, but there should be instructions first.”
Muhammad appealed to the FBR to postpone e-invoicing and implement it in phases to avoid repeating past failed attempts. He warned that hasty implementation will inevitably lead to failure. While supporting the reforms, he emphasized the need for implementation in line with practical realities and through consultation. Otherwise, he warned, everyone would be negatively impacted.
