PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that collecting trade tax from shopkeepers of Peshawar is illegal and unlawful, adding action would be taken against those involved in such practices. He made it clear that the tax is applicable only on bargain centres, rent a car, car parking and showrooms.
He clarified this while talking to a delegation of Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajiran Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which called on him at his office the other day and discussed with him issues and problems being faced by the traders and business community of Peshawar.
The delegation, headed by Haji Haleem Jan, comprised Malik Mehar Illahi, Jahangir Ghufran, Ihtisham Haleem and others. The delegation complained to the chief minister that shopkeepers of the city were receiving notices to pay trade tax, which the poor shopkeepers are unable to pay. The chief minister said that said tax was imposed in the previous provincial government which is specific to motor bargain centres, show rooms, car parking and rent a cars only and directed the secretary local government to take action against those issuing notices of the said tax to shopkeepers.
Members of the delegation thanked the chief minister for making the early payment of financial compensations to the victims (martyres) of Qissa Khwani bomb blast and said that the payment was made by the provincial government is an unexpected short time period.
The CM assured that estimates of the properties damaged in the blast had been finalised and compensation of the same would be paid to the affectees in next couple of days. On the demand of the delegation to improve the security of commercial areas, the chief minister said that an effective, comprehensive and concerted plan was being devised for the overall security of the city; and people would soon notice a difference.
Meanwhile, a delegation of senior citizens Hayatabad Peshawar headed by ex-MNA Saalim Khan Khalil also called on the chief minister and apprised him of the problems being faced by the residents of Hayatabad. The chief minister directed the DG Peshawar Development Authority to lake all necessary steps to address the grievances of the delegation.
