Fata exempted from taxes till June 30, 2023, Senate body told

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (Safron) was Monday informed that the merger status of erstwhile Fata will be maintained via blanket exemption of income tax, sales tax and withholding tax from the date of presidential assent to the conditional agreement till June 30, 2023.The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Jehanzeb Khan told the committee that the status would be maintained so as to restoring the position, as existed prior to the passage of 25th constitutional amendment, 2018. Among other issues, the panel deliberated upon the related matters and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs). The panel called for speeding up the process of IDPs registration, as presently it was extremely slow.Presently, there is a blanket exemption of sales tax on supplies to erstwhile Fata/Pata up to June 30, 2023. This, however, has created great unrest in industries in the country as there is a huge gap between prices in products manufactures in Fata/Pata and the rest of the country.Chairing the committee meeting, Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi emphasised the need for an amicable solution to return and rehabilitation issues encountered by the IDPs from Khyber district and those from Kokikhel, Tirah, Rajgal. The committee was told that it was imperative that the return and rehabilitation process be streamlined; however, opening the registration for all at this critical juncture will affect sustainability. The Safron secretary was of the view that if registrations are reopened it will undo floodgates that will be impossible to contain. The committee was informed that Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) was doing its best to ensure that all IDPs registered or unregistered have access to basic amenities on humanitarian grounds. It was explained that the unregistered IDPs must fill out a return facilitation form, which is forwarded by their respective political agent or DC.Discussing the bidding process by the Civil and Works Department, the committee was informed that any change in the terminology of the addendum for the procurement of solid waste vehicles and machinery would create legal issues and invite stringent scrutiny by law enforcement agencies. It was revealed that enormous laxity has been already been given while remaining within the rules.

from The News International - National http://bit.ly/2ImrOfM