SCCI, UBG oppose imposition of taxes on ex-Fata and PATA region, and call for immediate withdrawal

Prolonged border closure inflicts massive monetary loss on the business community, trade and industry become standstill
PESHAWAR
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and United Business Group (UBG) fully backed the stance and reservations of business community belonging from erstwhile of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Provincial Administered Tribal Area (PATA) regarding the imposition of taxes and called upon the government to revisit its decision while keeping the prevailing scenario in the region.
The UBG meeting was held with senior office bearers and members of all chambers of commerce and industry of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.
Besides, Patron in Chief UBG S.M Tanveer, Secretary General UBG Zafar Bakhtawari FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, UBG leader and former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, UBG Provincial General Secretary Haji Muhammad Afzal, President SCCI Junaid Altaf, senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, former presidents Fuad Ishaq and Fazal Moqeem Khan, and Chamber’s executive committee members Abbas Fuad Azeem, Adnan Nasir, Aftab Iqbal, Abdul Nasir, Gul Zaman, Ishfaq Ahmad, Saifullah Khan and Shamsul Rahim, SCCI’s Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, Presidents, vice presidents and other senior office bearers from Bajaur, Malakand, Mardan, Haripur, Charsadda, Khyber, Kohat, Chitral, Kurram, Abbottabad, Nowshera, Lower Dir, Peshawar, Mardan, Hazara Chamber, Women Chamber, Car Dealers Association, All Pakistan Commercial Exporters, and Mine and Mineral Association and others were present during the meeting.
The meeting thoroughly deliberated on key-challenges being faced by the business community and took a firm stance against the imposition of taxes on the ex-Fata and PATA region.
The UBG leaders highlighted the border’s closure issues, stating that business and industry have completely closed down since the closure of the Torkham Border.
They called the Torkham border as a lifeline for the business community of KP, urging them to reconsider the decision in the best interest of economic, trade and industry.
UGB leaders assured the government to support economic growth.
They, however, called for making proper consultation before framing economic policies to make them business-investment friendly.
In his opening remarks, President SCCI underlined several issues of the business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially imposition of taxes on ex-FATA and PATA region.
He stressed unity and close coordination/liaison to jointly address the increasing challenges being faced by the business community.
S.M Tanveer, Patron in chief during his keynote speech shed light on the growing economic challenges and stressed long-term economic reforms rather than short-term measures.
He called for a comprehensive and effective strategy that is urgently needed to cope with the issues being faced by the business community.
Zafar Bakhtawari, emphasized the need for collective efforts to stabilize Pakistan’s economy and promote local industries.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh assured the business community that their voices are being raised at every administrative level to find sustainable, long term solutions.
He emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province rich in natural resources.
With the right infrastructure, better facilities, and proper government attention, it has the potential to transform into a highly sustainable economy, he remarked.
However, he pointed out that security challenges have dealt a severe blow to the province’s industrial sector. Consequently, he strongly urged the government to compensate for these hardships by ensuring significant tax relief for local businesses.
Other prominent leaders, including Ghazanfar Bilour, Haji Muhammad Afzal and Junaid Altaf also addressed the gathering, reiterating the need for collective action to revive the provincial economy.
Later, the UBG delegation held a meeting with Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi at Governor House Peshawar. The delegation discussed the overall economic situation, business community issues, particularly, imposition of taxes on erstwhile FATA and PATA, prolonged closure of borders and other issues.
Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi assured the delegation to take up business community issues with Federal and provincial governments.
It was informed that FPCCI is going to hold a national dialogue on business community issues, in which office bearers and representatives of all chambers, including Sarhad Chamber will be participating.