Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad has expressed grave concern over harassment, issuance of illegal notices and unlawful actions on pretext of tax collection and floating environmental rules by the departments concerned during crackdown on small manufacturing units in Peshawar.
The SCCI chief asked the provincial government, heads of relevant institutions and high-officials to take immediate notice of unlawful actions, demanding to ensure implementation of business-friendly policies and facilitating the business community for promotion of industrialization in the province.
He expressed his concerns during his meeting with 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 here at the chamber house on Wednesday.
On the occasion, SCCI chief was apprised about unnecessary crackdowns by sale tax department on small factories, harassment of owners and staff by Environment Protection Agency (EPA), tax departments, unsmooth supply of electricity to small industrial estate Kohat Road Peshawar, imposition of double taxation, unnecessary detention and stoppage of trucks, loaded with raw materials, using in small factories at various police checkpoints.
Khurshid assured small manufacturers of amicable resolution of their issues. He informed the meeting that the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan 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 on the pretext of these laws was unacceptable to them.
Besides, he said, the small industries have played a pivotal role towards economic stability and development, and are also a prime source for jobs to many people.
He 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.
He said the doors are always open for the business community and the chamber will take up their issues at governmental level and relevant departments.
Earlier, the delegation of Small Industrial Estate Association Kohat Road Peshawar formally congratulated Hasnain Khurshid for electing as president of SCCI and expressed hope that the newly-elected cabinet will play an important role in resolution of business community issues.