PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad has expressed concern over “harassment, issuance of illegal notices and unlawful actions” on pretext of tax collection by departments concerned during crackdown on small manufacturing units in Peshawar.
The SCCI chief urged the provincial government to take immediate notice of “unlawful actions” and ensure the implementation of business-friendly policies and facilitate the business community for promotion of industrialization in the province.
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Khurshid was talking to a delegation of the Small Industrial Estate Association Kohat Road Peshawar, which was led by former president SCCI Engineer Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz and president of the association Wahid Arif on Wednesday. On the occasion, SCCI chief was apprised about crackdowns by sale tax department on small factories, “harassment” of owners and staff by Environment Protection Agency (EPA), tax departments, power outages to small industrial estate Kohat Road Peshawar, imposition of double taxation, unnecessary detention and stoppage of trucks loaded with raw materials at various police checkpoints.
Khurshid assured small manufacturing units owners of amicable resolution of their issues. He informed that the Chief Minister had already issued directives for formation of a high-powered committee, saying that the body would play its role in resolving the collection of double taxation from Peshawar’s industrial estate and issues relating to EPA. The SCCI chief said that the business community was not against enforcement of relevant laws and regulations. However, he made it clear that harassment of the community is unacceptable to them.
Hasnain Khurshid emphasized the smooth and uninterrupted power and gas supply to industrial estates in Peshawar. He assured the visiting small manufacturers of taking their issues with relevant government bodies and authorities in an effective manner in order to resolve them amicably.