PESHAWAR, Dec 31: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has ordered the formation of a committee to re-assess the taxation system and look into the possibility of reducing tax burden on the poor in the Frontier province.

The committee would take into account all aspects of the taxation system in vogue and suggest remedies to make it transparent and rational, said the chief minister at a meeting on excise and taxation here on Tuesday, said a handout.

Provincial minister for excise and taxation Asif Iqbal was also present on this occasion. Secretary excise and taxation briefed the meeting on the functions and range of activities of the department.

 Durrani said that the government had planned to set up a research centre to be manned by experts of all fields that would set the course of future development.

This would be in addition to the proposed commissions, the government decided to establish separately for all sectors, he said, adding that the government was anxious to plan the direction of development and progress of the province.

“We would go in a planned manner to achieve our targets that we set in all fields,” he added.

He referred to the proposed reforms in the taxation system and added that his government belonged to the middle class and would not like to overburden the poor with unnecessary taxes. He said that the rich should pay and the poor should enjoy some sort of relaxation in the shape of reduced taxes.

He directed the officials of the department to create a mechanism for surprise visits of hotels, having been given licenses of liquor and wine and check the sale and purchase of these forbidden items.