Commissioner Inland Revenue Tariq Arbab has informed the traders' community that the market committees have constituted and empowered to decide registration of traders under sales tax.

He was talking to a delegation of trading community here at Tax House on Friday. The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Headquarters Ajmal Khan, President KP Trader Unity Mujib ur Rehman, President Anjuman-e-Tajran Peshawar Haji Muhammad Afzal and Chairman Central Organization of Traders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shaukat Ali and others.

The official said the committees were formed in the light of agreement inked between FBR and central body of traders, adding that the committee would resolve disputes related to sales tax registration of shops covering an area of one thousand square feet.

The Commissioner sought traders' cooperation to strengthen the tax net and informed the delegation that the government has extended date for submitting income tax returns till January 31.

He urged the trading community to convince the people to file tax returns in vital national interest and strengthening of economy. The delegation assured their support in filing income tax returns. However, they conveyed concerns of small traders regarding point of sale system.

The official explained that the new system would not affect the small traders and FBR was not intending to bring all the traders under tax net without considering the quantity of their business.

He said the market committee would remain active all the time to resolve the issues and concerns of traders. Meanwhile, the Custom Intelligence and Investigation Department Peshawar seized 12kg hashish, which was concealed in hidden block of petroleum tank on Aman Garh Road Nowshera District.