SWAT: The members of Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with other chambers of Malakand division rejected the notifications of Federal Board of Revenue regarding imposition of taxes in the region and termed the overnight notices as a ploy to shut down factories in Swat.

They speaking at an emergency meeting of the chamber held in Mingora after FBR issued notifications about imposition of taxes on small industries and factories.

Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Adnan Ali Khan, legal coordinator of industrialists Shakeel Zada, former president of Swat chamber Yousuf Ali Khan, Swat Traders Federation president Alhaj Zahid Khan, Haji Ahmad Khan, Haji Noor Mohammad, Shiraz Khan, Dr Zakir Mohammad, Ali Sher Mian and others attended the meeting.

They said that government had cleared Malakand division and tribal areas free of any kind of tax in the year 2019 but FBR imposed taxes on the people of the areas.

“FBR is issuing notices for collection of taxes to the owners of small factories and industries which is a violation of law. We the members of all the chambers of commerce of Malakand condemn the behaviour of FBR Chairman Ashfaq Khan,” said Adnan Ali Khan.

The participants of the meeting said that former Fata and Pata were exempted from all types of taxes till 2023 according to Finance Bill 2019 approved by the prime minister and cabinet. They said that the chairman of FBR was misusing his powers.

They said that under a conspiracy, FBR chairman was creating problems and difficulties in the Pakhtun belt by taking such steps. “We cannot pay taxes and if FBR tries to impose taxes, we would close down all the factories,” they said. They said closure of factories would cause unemployment and lawlessness in Malakand division.

“Before the closure of factories and street protest by people, the government must transfer the FBR chairman,” said Yousaf Ali, spokesperson for Swat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The participants of the meeting said that thousands of workers and owners of factories would soon take to streets against the chairman and other staff of FBR.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2022