Kati President Concern Over Court Ruling On Tax Powers

Recent developments in Pakistan's business environment have stirred significant concern among industry leaders, particularly regarding the powers granted to tax authorities. The President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Muhammad Ikram Rajput, voiced alarm after the federal constitutional court rejected a plea against the new powers allowing tax officials to conduct raids without prior judicial approval. Rajput criticized these measures as 'extraordinary and disproportionate,' warning that they could lead to harassment and corruption within the business community. He emphasized that the business sector is already facing financial pressures, and such intrusive actions could exacerbate market uncertainty, stating, 'Commercial activities could be adversely affected.' This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety among business leaders about the implications of unchecked authority on economic stability (Business Recorder, February 28, 2026).