By Dr. Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE, July 5: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) organized the 11th session of its Financial Advisory Baithak, providing free one-to-one consultation and advisory services to members on taxation, customs and regulatory matters affecting the business community.

The session was chaired by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, while tax and financial consultant Hamid Ullah Khan offered detailed guidance and responded to participants’ queries on a wide range of business and tax-related issues.

Discussions focused on Withholding Tax (WHT) rates for 2027, Tax Year 2026 income tax return filing, Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) registration, the ISO 9001:2015 certification and registration process, Goods Declarations (GD) through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), including EIF-related matters, and customs warehousing charges on a per-CBM basis.

Addressing the participants, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said the Financial Advisory Baithak is an important initiative aimed at helping the business community better understand increasingly complex taxation and regulatory requirements.

He said the chamber remains committed to providing practical support to its members through regular advisory sessions conducted by experienced professionals, enabling businesses to stay compliant with evolving laws and regulations.

“The rapidly changing tax and regulatory environment requires businesses to remain informed about the latest legal and procedural developments,” Saigol said. “Awareness and timely compliance not only help businesses avoid unnecessary penalties and litigation but also contribute to a more transparent and documented economy.”

He added that the LCCI would continue organizing such knowledge-sharing sessions to equip its members with the guidance needed to address emerging business challenges effectively.

Tax consultant Hamid Ullah Khan highlighted recent developments in tax laws and customs procedures, offering practical solutions to common issues faced by businesses. He emphasized the importance of timely tax compliance, proper documentation and awareness of regulatory obligations to avoid legal and financial complications.

Participants welcomed the initiative, describing the one-to-one advisory format as highly beneficial because it allowed them to discuss their individual business concerns directly with an expert.

Among those attending the session were Muhammad Taha Sarwar, Tariq Hameed, Shahid Hussain and Hafiz Muhammad Shafiq.