SCCI demands Afghan government to release Pakistani trucks

The executive committee of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has urged the Afghan authorities to release Pakistani trucks and containers being held at Khor Maidan area near Torkham border. The EC committee discussed the issue at its meeting where SCCI president Faiz Mohammad Faizi presided. It expressed serious concern over charging high rents of empty trucks and containers which are not allowed to cross Torkham border to enter Pakistan after unloading in Afghanistan.
The SCCI meeting demanded of Afghan government to permit trucks to enter Pakistan and disallow high and artificial rents which are imposed on the owners of such trucks and containers. FPCCI's former president Ghazanfar Bilour, senior vice president Engr Saad Khan, vice president Haris Mufti, ex-president Zahid Shinwari, Malik Niaz and members of the executive body attended the SCCI EC meeting.
It was informed about overall activities being held at chamber level. The business community's reservations over Bus Rapid Transit Project Peshawar also came under discussion. It called for immediate completion of the BRT and relief to those traders who are affected by the project. The EC meeting expressed concern on issuance of sale tax, income tax, professional tax notices to business community and denounced their harassment.
The meeting strongly objected to heavy fines imposed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Halal Food and Food Safety Authority. It sought SCCI representation in KP Food Authority. It demanded its strategy ought to be devised in consultation with business community. Holding of Business Excellence Award and second phase of Charter of Economy and investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also discussed. The meeting unanimously passed a resolution to condemn crackdown by FBR subordinate institutions, including Regional Tax Office on major stores on pretext of tax-evasion in different parts of Peshawar.
The SCCI EC paid rich tribute to armed forces of Pakistan for giving befitting response to Indian incursion and violation of airspace along the Line of Control. In another resolution that was adopted unanimously, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed solidarity with Pakistan Army. It warned of befitting response to any Indian aggression and misadventure in future as well.