KARACHI, Aug 26: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has said that concessions will be extended in respect of import duty, customs duty and sales tax to transport companies intending to ply new buses in Karachi under the Urban Transport Scheme.
He said that the federal government had decided to restore the related SRO in this respect and the decision was communicated to him over telephone by the Chairman, Central Board of Revenue.
Naimatullah Khan observed that as a result of this decision, the travelling facilities to be provided to the people under the scheme will increase and more new buses would be inducted.
At present, he said, 275 new buses are plying the city under the scheme and these include the China-made CNG buses. A few months back, the federal government had withdrawn incentives given in respect of import duty and other taxes for buses under the UTS.
City Nazim said that he had written letters to the federal finance minister, CBR chairman, secretary of finance and other figures telling them that if transporters were not provided incentives, new buses will not come to this city. An official notification is likely to be issued in a few days.
STAND ON QUOTA: The City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, on Thursday reiterated his stand on the issue of sports quota in Class XI admissions, saying that quotas only facilitate corruption in the admissions.
"I will ensure merit and not allow any quota in the admission process. These (quotas) are a source of corruption," he remarked, while replying to a question from a newsman after a speech contest held at a local hotel.
He said that he had already issued a preventive order in this regard, adding that he would not accept any move from the education department authorities who do not agree with him.
"I, as nazim of the city, would be fighting in every way to provide justice and ensure merit for citizens at all levels," he stressed. Meanwhile, a joint meeting of teachers, parents and students of Saddar Town has appreciated the policy of the City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, for granting admissions to first year classes in the city's colleges based on merit. -APP
