Islamabad - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Chamber of Commerce and Industries on Thursday sought special tax relief package for the province from the federal government.
A delegation of KPK Chamber of Commerce and Industries held a detailed meeting with the Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar here. The delegation apprised the Minister about tax related issues faced by the business community in KPK, requesting him for special tax relief package for the province.
The Minister said, the Government attached due importance to resolving problems faced by the business community as they had an important role in economic progress of the country, especially revenue generation. The Minister asked representatives of the KP Chamber of Commerce to submit a written proposal outlining all their tax-related issues and suggestions for the relief package which would be accorded due consideration. He also asked Chairman FBR to have a detailed review of the suggestions from the KPK Chamber of Commerce once these were received.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting to review issues impeding work on the Additional Carriageway (73.6 KMs) from Torkham to Jalalabad.
Secretary, Planning and Development and DG Frontier Works Organisation briefed the Minister about the current status of the project and the revised cost, also giving him an update on pending payments to FWO. The NHA had entrusted the project of carriageway to FWO back in January 2007 and 58pc physical progress was achieved but at that stage, FWO demobilised from the site in September 2008 owing to the payments issue.
The Minister today directed both NHA and FWO to work in close coordination to complete this project on priority as per the revised cost. He also directed them to settle the issue of payments without much ado. He said the project has been on halt for almost seven years, which has led to escalation in overall cost. Further delay should be avoided, he emphasised.
The Minister on this occasion referred to his meeting with his Afghan counterpart and the visit of Afghan President where completion of Pakistan’s development projects in Afghanistan was duly emphasised. He said Pakistan has a resolve to contribute maximum for economic development in Afghanistan and this project would augment its efforts for peace and prosperity in the brotherly country.