No taxes without NFC share: Kundi

Governor urges PM to withdraw tax decision for merged districts

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has made it clear that the people of the erstwhile tribal areas will not pay taxes until they are granted their rightful share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, asserting that issuing directives from air-conditioned rooms in Islamabad is far easier than implementing them on the ground.

Addressing an interactive session organized by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Sports Writers Association at the Governor's House here on Wednesday, the governor criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its tax collection drive in the merged districts, questioning whether the FBR chairman had ever visited Waziristan, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand or Para Chinar to understand the plight of the local population.

"The state had promised us that it would spend Rs100 billion annually in FATA and PATA, but the federation failed to fulfill its commitment," Kundi stated while interacting with media representatives. "A committee formed regarding the merged tribal districts had recommended that Rs200 to 250 billion would be provided. Even that was ignored, we didn't even receive the Rs100 billion that was promised."

The governor announced that he would appeal to the Prime Minister to reconsider and withdraw the tax decision, warning that otherwise all political parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa would jointly formulate a strategy. He also called upon the Chief Minister to convene all political parties and devise a collective action plan.

"If the Chief Minister faces any issue or compulsion, then he should stand with us. Then we will see who dares to collect taxes from us," Kundi asserted emphatically.

During the ceremony, Governor Kundi distributed awards and certificates among sports journalists who had demonstrated outstanding performance. He expressed concern over the lack of sports infrastructure in the province, noting that there is not a single fully-equipped cricket stadium meeting first-class standards in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

"More than half of the national cricket team players belong to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is clear evidence of the province's unparalleled talent," he remarked, while lamenting the scarcity of playing fields and basic facilities for athletes.

Expressing regret over the decline of squash and hockey, the governor pointed out that Pakistan dominated world squash for 16 consecutive years, but no world-class champion of Jansher Khan's caliber has emerged since. Similarly, national sport hockey is also in decline, requiring immediate and effective measures for its revival.

Governor Kundi further announced that a special ceremony would soon be held to honor the families of martyred journalists from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, paying tribute to their services and sacrifices.