Islamabad mayor endorses reduction in property tax

ICCI president says encroachments from markets should be removed

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Mayor Pir Adil Shah Gillani said on Wednesday that he is a public representative and protecting the interests of the public is his key responsibility. He shared that the 300 per cent hike in property tax by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) in one go was not in favour of the residents.

He said this while addressing the business community during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) while further endorsing the demand of the ICC for withdrawal of this exorbitant hike in property tax.

Shah said that the business community is the main pillar of the economy, therefore, facilitating them is of the utmost important in order to ensure smooth growth of business activities. He added that his term will conclude on February 15, however, he will address the maximum issues highlighted by the business community.

The mayor further said that the director municipal administrator will be asked to remain in touch with ICCI to resolve the issues of the business community.

On the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that ICCI and MCI are working on common objectives to develop a better infrastructure for business activities and beautification of the city, therefore, both should work jointly to achieve common goals more effectively.

He stated that encroachments from markets should be removed in collaboration with relevant associations, adding that the Citizens Club should be revived in cooperation with ICCI.

Other senior officials of ICCI thanked the mayor for visiting and mentioned that MCI should address the issues of industrial areas in the capital such as repair of roads and improving water, sewerage and sanitation systems.

The representative of various market associations from Blue Area, Jinnah Super, Sectors F-10 Markaz, G-9 Markaz, Public Works Department and other markets present on the occasion highlighted various issues of traders for redressal.

They maintained that parking issues in markets should be addressed by renovating green belts as parking areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2021.