KPRA, wedding halls ready to go to war

Authority to file FIR against threatening statements

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) has strongly denounced the threatening video statement issued by the Wedding Halls Association and has decided to register an FIR for issuing threats.

It also took strong exception to the provocative statements of the wedding hall managements.

In response to a video statement issued by the Wedding Halls Association, the KPRA spokesperson stated that the association openly threatened KPRA officers and staff, an unacceptable act.

The authority has convened a meeting of its management committee to finalise the modalities for registering an FIR against the association, naming all members present in the video.

"The Wedding Halls Association will be held responsible for any harm caused to KPRA officers or staff, and the authority will take strict legal action against them," the spokesperson warned.

"KPRA officers collect sales tax on services in the province under a law passed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Paying taxes is a legal obligation for everyone, and labeling it as 'extortion' or claiming the right to charge customers, as per their discretion, is a clear violation of the laws passed by the assembly." He cautioned this would not be tolerated at any cost.

The spokesperson emphasised that those obstructing tax payments or hindering KPRA officers from performing their lawful duties will face strict legal action. He clarified that at the request of the Wedding Halls Association, the provincial government introduced a fixed tax regime alongside the percentage-based scheme for wedding halls.

"The wedding hall management was given the option to choose either regime for paying their taxes. This decision was welcomed by the association, which assured that all wedding halls would regularly collect sales tax on services from their customers and submit it to KPRA."