Warns against tax collection in tribal areas, challenges authorities to visit the region and testifies to ground realities
Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi. Photo: File
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday made it clear that people in the erstwhile tribal areas would not pay taxes until they get their rightful share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, saying it was much easier to issue directives from Islamabad than implement them on the ground.
Addressing an interactive session organized by the KP Sports Writers’ Association at the Governor’s House, the governor slammed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its tax collection drive in the merged districts, questioning whether the FBR chairman had ever visited Waziristan, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand or Parachinar to understand the plight of the local people.
“The state had promised us that it would spend Rs 100 billion annually in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) and PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas), but the federation has not fulfilled its commitment,” Kundi said while interacting with media representatives.
“A committee formed regarding the merger of tribal districts had recommended that Rs 200-250 billion be provided. Even that was ignored. We have not received even the promised Rs 100 billion.”
Read: KP received Rs34.88tr in federal funds in the last five years
The governor said he would call on the prime minister to reconsider and withdraw the tax decision, warning that failing that, all political parties in KP would jointly formulate a strategy. He also called on the chief minister to convene all political parties and come up with a collective action plan.
“If the chief minister faces any problem or constraint, then he should stand with us. Then we will see who dares to collect taxes from us,” Kundi asserted.
During the ceremony, Governor Kundi distributed awards and certificates to sports journalists who demonstrated outstanding performance. He expressed concern over the lack of sports infrastructure in the province, noting that there was not a single fully equipped cricket stadium meeting first-class standards in KP.
“More than half of the players in the national cricket team belong to KP, which is a clear testimony to the unprecedented talent of the province,” he pointed out, while lamenting the lack of playing fields and basic facilities for athletes.
Read also: KP threatens to take action with the FCC following the dispute over the actions of the NFC
Expressing regret over the decline of squash and hockey, the governor pointed out that Pakistan had dominated world squash for 16 consecutive years but no world-class champion of the caliber of Jansher Khan had emerged since then. Likewise, the national sport, hockey, is also in decline, necessitating immediate and effective measures for its revival.
Governor Kundi further announced that a special ceremony would soon be organized to honor the families of martyred KP journalists, paying tribute to their services and sacrifices.
The event was attended by association president Asim Shiraz, secretary Shahid Afridi and a large number of sports journalists.
