Eid cattle market contractor in the soup

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has launched a firm crackdown on a contractor who, despite clearing all dues owed to the Board, failed to deposit Rs16.57 million in income tax with the federal government for the Eidul Azha cattle market contract.

After his cheque was dishonoured, police were requested to register a case, and a Judicial Magistrate subsequently issued arrest warrants against him.

This year, the Bhata Ground cattle market contract was awarded to Moin & Co, the highest bidder, for Rs165.7 million. The contractor paid half the amount in advance and the remainder after Eid, thereby settling the full contractual sum with the board.

However, the company was separately required to remit Rs16.57m directly to the federal government as income tax. The cheque tendered for this payment was returned unpaid, leading the Board to seek police action. Judicial Magistrate Qamar Abbas Tarar has since issued warrants for the contractor, returnable on September 4.

Sources in RCB indicated that if the contractor continues to withhold the tax payment, proceedings will be initiated to blacklist him.