KP printers refuse to register with KPRA

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Printers and Publishers Association held a meeting with known businessperson Senator Nauman Wazir to apprise him about confusion arising in the wake of demand by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) regarding registration of printing presses under the status of “Service” category.

The delegation of printers and publishers was headed by Shehryar Ahmad, chairman Standing Committee of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Printing and Publishing.

Industrialists Association Peshawar (IAP) President Zarak Khan Khattak was also present on the occasion, said a press release issued here.

Briefing Senator Nauman Wazir about the issue, Shehryar Ahmad said KPRA is adamant on shifting the status of Printing and Publishing Industries from `Manufacturing’ to `Service’ category, which is not only against the constitution but also a violation of the interpretation of the law by high court of KP.

“Printing industry being `manufacturer’ does not require registration with KPRA,” he said, adding that registration with FBR under Sales Tax and Income Act 1990 is the only lawful requirement.

In order to pressure the printing industry, he said, KPRA has circulated a notification to all government, semi-government, financial institutions, banks, schools and colleges directing them to not give any tender to those printing presses and publishers who are not registered with the authority.

Shehryar contended that under 18th Constitutional Amendment, only `Services’ have been handed over to the provinces while under the Sales Tax Act 1990, printing and publishing has been declared as `manufacturing’.

He said the high court in a judgment on June 6, 2018 had ruled that printing and publishing is not a service, whereas, it is not included in the schedule I and II of KP Finance Act 2013.

He said the ban from KPRA in giving tenders is also affecting income of businessmen of the province.

Senator Nauman Wazir agreed with the contentions of printers and publishers and assured to take up the matter with quarters concerned for resolution of the issue.