Key Takeaways
- Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and United Business Group (UBG) opposed the government’s decision to impose taxes on former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Provincial Administered Tribal Area (PATA).
- The groups called for a revisit of the decision, citing economic challenges faced by businesses in the region.
- Leaders emphasized the need for proper consultation before framing policies that are business-investment friendly.
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and United Business Group (UBG) have strongly opposed the government’s decision to impose taxes on businesses in the former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Provincial Administered Tribal Area (PATA). The opposition was expressed during a meeting held with senior office bearers of various chambers of commerce and industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting, attended by key figures such as S.M Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief UBG; Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General UBG; Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI; Ghazanfar Bilour, UBG leader and former president FPCCI; Haji Muhammad Afzal, UBG Provincial General Secretary; and Junaid Altaf, President SCCI, among others, deliberated on the challenges faced by the business community in these regions.
Speaking at the meeting, S.M Tanveer highlighted the closure of the Torkham border as a significant issue. He stated that this closure has led to the complete shutdown of businesses and industry in the region, which he described as a lifeline for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s economy. The UBG leaders urged the government to reconsider its decision in the best interest of economic growth.
President SCCI Junaid Altaf underlined several issues faced by the business community, particularly the imposition of taxes on ex-FATA and PATA regions. He stressed the importance of unity and close coordination among stakeholders to address these challenges collectively. Altaf called for a firm stance against the tax imposition, emphasizing the need for proper consultation before implementing any economic policies.
Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, assured the business community that their voices are being raised at every administrative level to find sustainable long-term solutions. He highlighted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s potential as a province rich in natural resources and emphasized the need for better infrastructure and government attention to transform it into a highly sustainable economy.
Other prominent leaders, including Ghazanfar Bilour and Haji Muhammad Afzal, reiterated the need for collective action to revive the provincial economy. They called for comprehensive and effective strategies that address both economic challenges and security issues affecting the region.
The UBG leaders also emphasized the importance of making policies business-investment friendly. Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General UBG, highlighted the growing economic challenges and stressed the need for long-term reforms rather than short-term measures. He called for a strategy that can effectively cope with the issues faced by the business community.
In conclusion, the meeting concluded with a firm stance against the tax imposition on ex-FATA and PATA regions. The leaders collectively urged the government to revisit its decision and ensure proper consultation before implementing any economic policies.
The UBG leaders highlighted the border’s closure issues, stating that business and industry have completely closed down since the closure of the Torkham Border.
S.M Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief UBG
He [Atif Ikram Sheikh] emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province rich in natural resources. With the right infrastructure, better facilities, and proper government attention, it has the potential to transform into a highly sustainable economy.
Atif Ikram Sheikh, FPCCI President
