A parliamentary committee on Wednesday recommended to the government to abolish double taxation in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and additional taxes being collected on edible items upon entry into the tribal areas.
The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), chaired by Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman, Wednesday took strong notice of the collection of doubles taxes in the tribal areas and also sought record from Fata Secretariat of the spending on public welfare projects from so far, collected amount on account of double taxations.
The committee was given a detailed briefing by Political Agent Mohmand Agency on the collection of double taxations - Area Development Fund (ADF) and the Cess - on entry into the tribal areas on various items from edibles to electronics and other things of daily usage.
Officials of the Fata Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Unit (RRU) informed the committee that Rs 30 billion was approved for immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation in North and South Waziristan agency.
It was told that a committee headed by a military commander approves the funds while the execution agency of the projects is the Pakistan Army.
Responding to various queries by the senators, Secretary SAFRON Mohammad Shehzad Arbab said that the committee was formed under a MoU signed with the Pakistan Army and these arrangements are only for a period that will end in 2018. However, Minister for SAFRON Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch (Retd) said that a total of Rs 100 billion are allocated for the reconstruction and rehabilitation process and the Military is only involved for the sake of security as contractors are not ready to execute the projects in certain areas due to security reasons. Out of the total Rs 100 billion, Rs 30 billion are allocated for the reconstruction of homes for the temporarily displaced persons, reconstruction and repair of schools, hospitals and roads, he added.
The committee was further informed that in both North and South Waziristan agencies, the construction work on 72 markets, 32 hospitals and 167 schools have been completed.
To a question by Senator from South Waziristan Saleh Shah about the possession of 72 markets that also consists of 100 shops each in Mirali and Miran Shah, Minister for SAFRON said, "The markets are state property and leave it". "We know all the affairs very well but any debate on this issue will bring no fruit...I know that as well", the Senator from South Waziristan responded in a light mood.
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