KARACHI, Jan 25: The Sindh Excise and Taxation department has collected Rs4.41 billion in taxes and duties during the first half of the current fiscal year.

Provincial Excise and Taxation Minister Dr Abdul Karim Maher said that if the actual recoveries were added with Rs651.28 million worth of bank guarantees against infrastructure cess, the total collection exceeded the proportionate target of Rs4.75 billion.

The target for 2007-08 is Rs9.48 billion. During July to December, the Sindh excise department collected Rs2.47 billion infrastructure cess, Rs931.86 million motor vehicle tax, Rs729.13 million excise duty, Rs123.16 million professional tax, Rs70.17 million cotton cess and Rs82.61 million hotel tax.

Provincial Director General of Excise and Taxation Marghoob Siddiqui said that excise and taxation collection in the current fiscal year so far exceeded the recoveries made in same period last year.