PESHAWAR
The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Tuesday strongly opposed the provincial government’s decision regarding restoration of Octroi system, a tax on various goods brought into a town, describing it as a consistency of the government’s anti-business policies.
The objection was raised during a meeting of traders belonging from Shoba Bazar Peshawar, which was held under chairmanship of SCCI’s president Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad here at the Chamber’s House on Tuesday.
Hasnain Khurshid told the meeting that the Federal Board of Revenue is already collecting 3 per cent on the head of the same tax, so it could be completely unjustifiable to restore the ‘Mahsul Chungi’ [Octroi tax] System in KP.
He vowed to strongly resist the government’s move, and would lodge a strong protest and also approach the superior court if the ‘Mahsul Chungi system would be revived in the province.
SCCI senior vice president Imran Khan Mohmand, vice president Javed Akthar, traders senior leader Haji Amanullah Mohmand, office bearers of Shobha Bazar Traders Association, members of the traders community and others were present during the meeting.
The meeting on the occasion also expressed serious concern over imposition of Point of Sale, an integrated system, introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue.
It was discussed traders issues pertaining to collection of double taxes, introduction a fixed tax regime, concern of clearing tax, laden with car/vehicles spare parts in Islamabad and Rawalpindi dry-ports, issuance business visas for various countries, apprehension on newly-introduced PSW –Pakistan Single Window System, and collection levies/duties in erstwhile Fata.
The participants said the KP has the worst affected by terrorism, followed by the novel coronavirus global pandemic and urged the federal and provincial governments to announce special fiscal relief package to mitigate sufferings of the business community of war-hit province.
Business community has an enormous contribution in the economic development of the country, through paying a number of taxes, the speakers noted.
Therefore, they urged the government authorities to avoid any such harsh and awkward actions to retain dignity of ‘tax-payers’
Mr Khurshid said the SCCI is a representative forum of traders, which had played a pivotal role in the resolution of the business community.
He said the chamber has delivered selfless service to the business community and would continue to play its due role for resolving community issues by taking up them with relevant federal and provincial government’s departments/authorities.
The chamber’s president assured the traders community that they would take effective steps to resolve their issues on priority basis.
Imran Khan Mohmand, Javed Akhtar and Haji Amanullah Mohmand and others also spoke on the occasion.
