HARIPUR:
Residents of Hattar have expressed serious concerns over the Excise and Taxation Department’s decision to declare the entire Hattar area as an urban locality and impose real estate tax in urban areas on shops.
According to officials, the tax was actually collected by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) of Khanpur, while the excise department is only responsible for its collection. They said that when TMA Khanpur was established, some localities were declared urban areas. Following this, the excise department conducted a formal survey of these areas, measured the commercial properties and imposed property tax accordingly.
Officials said the tax rate, earlier Rs 7 per sq ft, has now been increased to Rs 10 per sq ft. They added that the tax is applicable regardless of whether a store is closed or rented, and has been in force since 2021. All unpaid arrears for this period, they clarified, must also be paid.
On the other hand, residents of Hattar termed the decision as unjustified and unfair, questioning the criteria by which Hattar was declared an urban area. They argued that a transparent explanation is needed as to whether Hattar actually meets the standards of an urban locality.
According to residents, excise officials maintain that Hattar is a fully notified urban area and hence the tax will be imposed uniformly on properties located on the main road as well as in the interior districts. The locals further objected that the tax was applied retrospectively for the last seven years, which they called completely unfair.
They said various taxes were already levied on houses, billboards and advertisement, and this additional burden was imposed on the public after Khanpur was granted tehsil status. The residents added that they had already conveyed their reservations to the higher authorities at the time of creation of Tehsil Khanpur.
Concerned citizens stressed that they were not opposed to legitimate taxation, but rejected arbitrary taxes imposed without public consultation. They said the time has come for all stakeholders to unite and raise their voices to the Chief Minister and relevant authorities, while pursuing other constitutional and democratic avenues.
Hattar residents urged the provincial government to ensure that elected representatives and stakeholders are considered before imposing taxes, so that decisions are transparent and fair, rather than imposing a unilateral financial burden on the public.
