Printing industry is vital in employment and economic growth, says President Junaid Altaf, SCCI chief assures to take the traders’ issues with relevant government departments for early redressal
PESHAWAR
Printers and Publishers from Peshawar reposed full trust of leadership of Businessman Forum and they announced full support in the upcoming Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Election for next term.
They made this announcement during a dinner hosted by Businessman Forum in their honour at the chamber house.
President SCCI Junaid Altaf while chairing the meeting stated the printing industry has a vital role in economic development and generating employment so that the government should resolve their issues on priority grounds.
SCCI chief informed that more than 3,300 printing presses, operating across KP, provide employment to nearly 40,000 workers and called for recognition of their contribution and formalization of the policies.
He urged the provincial government to take pragmatic steps to resolve the issues associated with the printing industry.
Meeting was attended by Senior Vice president SCCI Muhammad Nadeem, former president and Anjuman e Tajraan Lifetime President Haji Muhammad Afzal, members of the chamber’s executive committee Ishfaq Ahmed, Sajjad Zaheer, Saifullah Khan, Shamsul Rahim and printing association office bearers, owners and shopkeepers and others.
Printers and publishers have raised serious concerns over unannounced electricity loadshedding, tripping and fluctuation, and demanded the immediate provision and upgradation of electricity infrastructure, including installation of dedicated power transformers for printing industries.
Traders stated the Jhangi Mohallah being the central hub of printing and publishing business, which should be registered with SMEDA as an official SME zone to facilitate industrial growth and government support.
The meeting stressed proactive steps to ensure the safety and security of printing presses, publishing houses and their workforce.
Similarly, it called for the establishment of a paper mill in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to reduce dependence on other provinces, lower production costs, and ensure continuous supply.
The printers and publishers seek release of refund payment of sales tax in light of court verdicts and greater provincial autonomy in policy-making, procurement and decision making under the 18th constitutional amendment.
Traders raised serious concerns over reportedly stopping of trucks, carrying copies of the Holy Quran and other books belonging to Afghan publishers by customs authorities and called the consignments immediately to be released.
The printers and publishers demanded special tax concession and relaxation on paper imported or supplied from Punjab and Karachi to reduce costs for K-P.
Besides, they also sought awarding of government tender on priority basis to KP-based printers and publishers.
President SCCI Junaid Altaf assured the printers and publishers to take up their issues with relevant government departments and make vigorous efforts to resolve them promptly.
