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Power tariff to be discussed with IMF
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SCCI demands tax holiday for NWFP businesses
Directs FBR to set up facilitation cells in NWFP
ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs, Shaukat Tareen said Thursday that Pakistan will negotiate with IMF, World Bank and other organisations about increased power tariff. Tareen told a private television news channel that the country is facing a shortfall of 3000-4000MW and government is fully alive to the situation and miseries of people created by load-shedding.
Efforts are underway to overcome the crisis, he added. He said an effective policy would be chalked out for clearing dues of oil companies and elimination of circular debts.
Meanwhile, an eight-member delegation of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), led by its President Sharafat Ali Mubarik, held a rendezvous with Shaukat Tareen here.
During the meeting, the office bearers of SCCI discussed the problems facing business community of NWFP. The delegation stressed that due to the military action against the terrorists in various parts of the province, the business, including industry and imports/exports, is badly affected. Similarly, the IDPs' issue has also aggravated the economic problems of the province, the delegation added. The delegation requested the government to declare the province as war-affected area and grant tax relaxation to the business community of the province. Shaukat Tareen assured the delegation that necessary steps are being taken in this regard as the government is fully aware of the fact that due to military action against the terrorists, the business and economic activities in the province are being affected and need government support. In order to facilitate the process of taxation in NWFP, the Finance Advisor directed the FBR to establish "Facilitation Cells" in various parts of the province for speedy solution of tax problems facing business community. He declared that the government would make Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry a partner in policy-making process and try to build up the confidence of the business community of the province. He assured that there would be no harassment of business community in future and declared that "We would establish a Jirga system of mutual consultation in the field of commerce and industry." The members of the delegation included Sharafat Ali Mubarik, President SCCI; Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour; Naseem-ur-Rehman, President Mardan Chamber; Mohammad Ishaq, Vice President SCCI; Omar Zakori, Member EC SCCI; M Arshad Siddiqui, Member EC SSI; Riaz Arshad, Member EC SCCI; and Mir Sohail Hashmat, Vice President, Industrialist Association, Hayatabad, Peshawar.-Agencies
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