Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), sought the property tax-exemption on plots, meant for construction of industrial estates under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zone Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC).
The demand was made by SCCI president Faiz Mohammad Faizi during a meeting with Secretary Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Zafar Ali Shah at the chamber house.
Former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, SCCI Senior vice president Engr Saad Khan Zahid, vice president Haris Mufti, former presidents Zahid Shinwari, Malik Niaz Ahmad, Haji Mohammad Afzal, Director Excise and Taxation Fayyaz Ali Shah, Director Revenue Excise and Taxation Salahuddin, Deputy Secretary Rehan Khattak, Additional Secretary Attaullah, and members of executive committee of the chamber were present in the meeting.
Faiz Mohammad asked the KP Excise and Taxation department to fix properties tax as per rental rates and equitable basis. He said that harassment of business community on name of tax-recovery must be ended. SCCI chief said that the Bus Rapid Transit Project has further multiplied problems of the business community, which already adversely affected due the prolonged terrorism and extremism. He said the chamber had flouted a suggestion to exempt the BRT-hit traders from all kind of provincial taxes.
He claimed the traders and industrialists have played important role in creation of maximum job opportunities in the province. He demanded the abolishment of Excise and Taxation tax in cantonment board area.
Later, Secretary Excise and Taxation, Zafar Ali Shah responding to the questions and suggestions of the business community forum agreed with the reservations SCCI president Faiz Mohammad Faizi and assured that the business community will not be harassed during collection of property and professional taxes.
He said the department will bring further easiness in tax collection system for both taxpayer and tax collectors by issuance of prior intimation. He added that the department is determined to alter vehicle registration and token tax system into smart card.
The official said that the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will introduce reforms. He said that the property tax exemption is not fallen in domain of his department and mandate of the provincial government. However, he assured that they will provide facilities to the business community in this regard. He said that property tax of commercial properties floor wise will be reviewed.