Token tax can be paid via e-sahulat centres
The Excise and Taxation department has asked registered vehicle owners to pay their token tax at any e-sahulat centre of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to avoid long queues. The measure has been announced as part of measures to prevent the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) from spreading.
The motorists can avail the facility once they register on Islamabad City app, which has been developed by the National Information Technology Board (NITB) for residents of the federal capital. The mobile application allows residents to provide them with public services of the local administration department.
Visitors can show the code they receive on the application at the e-sahulat centre, so that they can then pay the tax.
The excise and taxation system has been connected with all e-sahulat centres of NADRA, said Excise Director Bilal Azam.
To a query, he said that if people use the app, they will not have to wait in long queues or a gathering of a large number of people as there are multiple e-sahulat centres.
The department is also considering direct online payment methods for residents to pay their vehicle token fee.
Registration and transfer fee through integrating credit cards, bank accounts and other payment methods, he said.
While responding to another query, he hoped that the system will start working soon.
Meanwhile, the federal capital citizens have complained about the issues they face when visiting the e-sahulat centres and using the app.
They urged the authorities to resolve their grievances and provide relief to the public by making the entire payment system online so that people can submit their fees without visiting offices. Haider Ali, a visitor at the e-sahulat franchise in Sector I-8, said it took about 20 to 30 minutes to submit his vehicle token fee.
Similarly, not all centres in Islamabad are working while many are unaware of the service.
Why can't we have direct deposit through internet banking, he regretted. The app should be regularly updated to keep the users well informed about the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration departments and make it available for all smartphones, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2020.