The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday said that Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) is an oppressive, illegal and unconstitutional tax which must be abolished immediately.
The Supreme Court has already declared GIDC as illegal, not consistent with the constitution and against the basic rights, said Pervaiz Khan Khattak, APCNGA central chairman.
In a statement issued on Thursday, he said following the suo motu action of the apex court against GIDC declaring it null and void, the government enforced it through a controversial presidential ordinance. Khattak said now many superior counts had suspended the ordinance but the government was bent upon enforcing on one pretext or the other making a mockery of law.
The troubled CNG sector was struggling hard to remain afloat making it impossible to pay the oppressive and tyrannical tax under the current set of circumstances, he added.
The leader of the CNG sector said that GIDC was imposed to finance the import of natural gas from Iran; the project has been shelved but the government continued billions of rupees extract tax which could not be allowed.
The government was bound to safeguard the interests of the business community under Clause 8 and 18 of the Constitution, therefore, it must abolish the frequently disputed tax forthwith, he demanded.
Pervaiz Khattak said usually the burden of new or additional tax is transferred to consumers but the government has been trying to put the burden of GIDC on CNG operators which will never be allowed and resist on all possible forums.