December 23, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 01, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) will set up three regional tax offices (RTOs) at Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Abottabad by end of the current month. CBR Chairman Abdullah Yousuf in a statement on Friday said all necessary arrangements had been finalised to roll out these RTOs. The total number of RTOs will be 13 across the country, which will replace the existing income tax and sales tax departments.

With regard to the commissioning of remaining 10 RTOs, three will become operational by March next and another four by June. However, the RTOs at Multan and Quetta are likely to be little delayed and expected to be functional by September next instead of June. A RTO will also be established at Islamabad.

Explaining further the chairman said in case of RTO at Multan, the bid for the award of contract had to be advertised four times due to non-receipt of bids. In case of RTO at Quetta, the building was set ablaze during recent agitations by some miscreants when the work was in progress. As a result, the refurbishing of the building has to be done all over again, he added.