MANSEHRA: The excise and taxation department on Wednesday sealed over a dozen hotels in Shogran tourist resort over non-payment of dues.

It also recovered Rs5 million due payments from the owners of other hotels.

Excise and taxation officer Irfan Mushtaq, who led the crackdown, warned hoteliers of strict action over non-payment of taxes on both goods and services.

He said the hotels of Kaghan and Siren valleys would be dealt with strictly for not paying taxes.

Meanwhile, the 15th All Pakistan Captain Mohammad Usman Shaheed bilingual speech competitions were held at the Pakistan Scout Cadet College, Batrasi, here on Wednesday.

The students, who participated in the event, highlighted national and international issues, including the misery of people in the India-held Kashmir.

Fifteen educational institutions from across the country and Azad Jammu and Kashmir took part in the competitions held in both Urdu and English languages.

The Military College, Murree, clinched the overall first position, Colonel Sher Khan Cadet College, Swabi, second and Pakistan International Public School and College, Abbottabad, third.

Though the Batrasi college’s students delivered speeches, they weren’t included in the contest for being host District Bar Association president Amir Khan praised debaters for highlighting hurdles to the dispensation of justice to the people.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2019