Resource generation: K-P must avoid new taxes: Khattak

Urges cut in expenditure, proper exploitation of natural resources to enhance resource base

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak is learnt to have directed the authorities concerned not to impose new taxes or increase the existing taxes.

Khattak also turned down a proposal for imposing tax on vehicles registered in other provinces or Islamabad.



“Taxing such vehicles will be an injustice,” he said while chairing a meeting on resource generation, enhancing budgetary provision and creation of additional resources for the new fiscal year.

Regarding vehicles registered in other provinces and Islamabad using province’s infrastructure, the chief minister tasked relevant officials to contact other provinces and try to find a reasonable solution in this regard.

He also called upon the officials concerned to take up the issue of dues and royalties on hydel power, oil and gas and tobacco with the federal government.

According to Khattak, the province could struggle for securing pending royalties using the platforms of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Council of Common Interest (CCI) and the Supreme Court if the federal government delayed transferring resource to the province

Stressing the need for adopting a realistic approach, he said that it could be done through strict financial discipline, cut in non-development expenditure and proper exploitation of natural resources of the province, adding that this approach could enhance the province’s resource base.



Cautioning against imposing any tax that might affect public welfare, he urged the officials to avoid any step that could result in a price hike or overburdening the poor. He also ordered the authorities concerned not to resort to double taxation.

Urging provincial authorities to properly publicise existing vacant posts through the media, he said it was crucial for recruiting eligible candidates in all public sector institutions.