Hattar traders protest urban property tax

Residents question the criteria behind urban area notification

HARIPUR:

Residents of Hattar have expressed serious concern over a decision by the Excise and Taxation Department to declare the entire Hattar area an urban locality and impose Urban Areas Immovable Property Tax on shops.

According to officials, the tax has in fact been levied by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Khanpur, while the excise department is only responsible for its collection. They said that when TMA Khanpur was established, certain localities were declared urban areas. Following this, the excise department conducted a formal survey of those areas, measured commercial properties and imposed property tax accordingly.

Officials said that the tax rate, previously Rs7 per square foot, has now been increased to Rs10 per square foot. They added that the tax is applicable regardless of whether a shop is closed or rented out, and that it has been in force since 2021. All outstanding arrears for this period, they said, must also be paid.

On the other hand, residents of Hattar have termed the decision unjustified and unfair, questioning the criteria under which Hattar was declared an urban area. They argued that a transparent explanation is needed as to whether Hattar genuinely meets the standards of an urban locality.

According to the residents, excise officials maintain that Hattar is a fully notified urban area, and therefore the tax will be imposed uniformly on properties located on the main road as well as in inner neighbourhoods. Locals further objected that the tax is being applied retrospectively for the past seven years, which they described as wholly unjust.

They said that various taxes are already being levied on houses, billboards and advertisements, and that this additional burden was placed on the public after Khanpur was granted the status of a tehsil. Residents added that they had previously conveyed their reservations to senior authorities at the time of the establishment of Tehsil Khanpur.

Affected citizens stressed that they are not opposed to legitimate taxation, but reject arbitrary taxes imposed without public consultation. They said the time has come for all stakeholders to unite and raise their voice with the chief minister and relevant authorities, while also pursuing other constitutional and democratic avenues.

Residents of Hattar have urged the provincial government to ensure that elected representatives and stakeholders are taken on board before imposing any taxes, so that decisions are transparent and fair, rather than placing unilateral financial burdens on the public.