KP seeks abolition of Super Tax, ban on land acquisition by non-filers

PESHAWAR: Seeking abolition of the Super Tax and lifting of ban on the acquisition of immovable property and vehicles by non-filers, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has asked for drastic changes in the overall tax regime to ensure due shares to the province in the federal proceeds. sThe provincial government has submitted to the federal government a number of proposals to revise different taxes so that the public revenue could be increased and the burden of the common man reduced.

The proposals could not find a place in the final draft of the budget as the federal government approved the fiscal plan without taking into consideration KP government’s suggestions.However, the provincial Finance Department vowed to keep pushing the proposals as these in the long run would benefit both the public exchequer and common people.

Secretary Finance Shakeel Qadir Khan confirmed to The News on Thursday that they had sought far-reaching changes in the tax regime to improve collection and secure KP’s shares.The KP government in its observations on the recently approved next annual federal budget sought the abolition of the Super Tax and reduction in income tax on association of the persons and corporate sectors.

It also sought gradual reduction in the Sales Tax from 17 percent to 10 percent in the next five years. It asked the federal government to make the Health Levy on tobacco part of the divisible pool of the National Finance Commission (NFC). The document shared with The News shows that the federal budget estimated the Health Levy at Rs10 per kg on tobacco which will be collected by Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) in the manner it collects Tobacco Cess.

It implies to tax or a levy on the un-manufactured tobacco causing injury to the health of the active and passive smokers across the country and the resultant expenditure on health is a provincial domain.

The document says the Health Levy is part of non-divisible pool which will go to the federation, while health (for which the levy is imposed) and the expenditures on it are the responsibility of the provinces.

The provincial Finance Department, therefore, suggestedIt was also recommended that the Prosecution Department, in addition to its other legal functions, is mandated to assist, supervise and guide the Police Department in the investigation process subsequent to the lodging of First Information Report (FIR).About women rights, the rigorous implementation of existing protective legislation and an examination of the need for further gender specific criminal and civil laws was recommended.

The other recommendations for women rights in the policy include, “Production and dissemination of awareness raising materials on women’s rights issues in order to sensitize state and citizenry on women’s rights, the provision of training, assistance and enhanced capacity-building and oversight mechanisms to existing state institutions catering to women’s empowerment and representation, the enactment of legislation declaring domestic violence an offence, awareness-raising within and mainstreaming of gender concerns and gender-specific laws in local government institutions, provision of shelter, rescue, medical, psychological and legal facilities at all government-run Women Protection Centres, trainings for all relevant government officials incorporating steps to ensure the enforcement of women rights.”

Regarding transgender rights, the policy recommends the provincial government to take appropriate steps to safeguard the rights and welfare of transgender persons, awareness-raising with respect to the identity and rights of transgender persons.

It said local government institutions shall institute education and vocational skill-development schemes for transgender persons, sensitisation programmes shall be instituted at the local community-level to combat social prejudice and discrimination against transgender persons.

About minorities, the policy recommends to the government to produce and disseminate information which shall enable state and citizenry to better understand the needs and rights of minorities.