KARACHI, July 24: A high-level meeting held at the Governor’s House on Sunday decided in principle to allow a three-year exemption in entertainment tax and property tax on industrial organizations in the province.

Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, who presided over the meeting, directed the concerned authorities to complete the formalities in this regard at the earliest, and hoped that the decision would help provide better recreational facilities to people and promote industrial activities.

The meeting was attended by Adviser on Excise and Taxation M. A. Jalil, Principal Secretary to the Governor Akhtar Zamin, Additional Chief Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, Secretary Law Ghulam Nabi Shah, Secretary Excise and Taxation Mir Hussain Ali and other officials.

Dr Ibad directed the authorities to have a review of all such laws and regulations which were impeding economic progress, prosperity of people and social welfare. He pointed out that increased industrial activities would help create more employment opportunities and benefits of this would trickle down to the common man.

He observed that exemption in entertainment tax would provide relief to people and would also help revive the film industry.

Meanwhile, the governor has exhorted educational experts, writers and intellectuals to play their due role towards elimination of extremism and violence and promotion of high traditions. Dr Ibad said the intellectuals from Sindh should especially make headway in this regard.

He was talking to Ghulam Nabi Agro, renowned intellectual and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Engineering, Arts, Science and Technology, Hyderabad, at the Governor’s House here on Saturday evening.

The governor observed that Sindh was the soil of Qalandar Shahbaz, Sachal Sarmast and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai where the message of peace, tranquillity, love, brotherhood and respect to humanity was being spread for centuries.

“There is greater need today than ever before to refresh this message to earn the country a respectful and significant status in the comity of world nations,” he emphasized.

He called upon teachers and men of pen to take special care of this aspect while providing guidance to society, especially in the education and training of young generation.

“While the government is working for increased educational facilities on a priority basis, there is also a need for promoting creative abilities of the youth and their training, along with encouragement to their participation in extra academic activities to provide them a positive direction.”

He appreciated the private sector and philanthropic organizations for their efforts in education sector, and said that special programmes in private educational institutions should also be chalked out to give impetus to students’ mental capabilities and their constructive role.

—APP