RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) urged the Excise & Taxation Department to include RCCI and representatives of the business community in the relevant grievance committee to ensure effective representation, fair resolution of complaints, and timely redressal of taxpayers’ concerns, organised an interactive session on property tax amendments, motor vehicle registration, and sanitation Fee to address taxation-related concerns of the business community and promote greater transparency and taxpayer facilitation.

The session was chaired by RCCI President Nosherwan Khalil Khan, while Director Excise & Taxation, Rawalpindi Division Imran Aslam attended the session as the guest speaker.

The session was attended by RCCIPatron-in-Chief Sohail Altaf, Senior Vice President Waseem Aslam, Vice President Ikramur Rehman Abbasi, FPCCI Vice President Tariq Jadoon, Small Chamber President Rana Khurram, Executive Committee members, trade association representatives, and business community members from various sectors.

During the discussion, participants and RCCI leadership appreciated chief minister Punjab’s directions that no business centre or commercial premises should be sealed without prior approval from the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) Office.

Director Excise, Taxation and Narcotics, Rawalpindi Division, Nauman Khalid, delivered a detailed presentation on recent property tax reforms, including the shift from the Annual Rental Value (ARV) system to the Capital Value approach.

He highlighted measures aimed at improving transparency and informed participants that the Rawalpindi Division had recorded significant improvement in revenue collection during the ongoing fiscal year 2026–27 compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

Participants also discussed property tax assessments, alleged discrepancies in tax evaluations, motor vehicle registration matters, sanitation fees, and challenges faced by traders and commercial establishments.

RCCI President Nosherwan Khalil Khan stressed the importance of a business-friendly taxation system based on fairness, transparency, additional facilities at Excise Desk at RCCI and effective coordination between government departments and the business community.

He emphasized that taxpayers’ grievances must be addressed through a structured mechanism and that consultation with trade bodies is essential for building trust and improving compliance.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026