The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken back the recent hike of taxes on the CNG on the persuasion of the owners of the CNG stations. The FBR had recently increased ratio of taxes on CNG from 26 percent to 32 percent while the gas companies have included the increased tax in the gas bills. However, the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) persuaded the tax authorities to reverse the decision in the national interest. Following some meetings the FBR authorities were convinced who reversed the decision and issued a notification in this regard. The FBR has directed the gas distribution companies not to include the additional amount in the gas consumption bills for CNG stations which has been termed a success of masses by Ghayas Abdullah Paracha, chairman Supreme Council APCNGA. He said that the decision has raised concerns among all the eighty million stakeholders who would have been suffered a lot if the decision was implemented in this era of double digit inflation. Paracha lauded the FBR authorities for taking a right decision in the interest of people. He said that FBR has provided interim relief and final decision in this regard may be taken in September. He informed that CNG prices will remain the same after the decision. It may be mentioned that the 31 percent sales tax on CNG outlets includes 17 percent standard sales tax, nine percent value addition tax and 5 per cent extra sales tax imposed only for supplying electricity/gas.
