GILGIT: Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister (CM) Hafeezur Rehman said Wednesday that the federal government would give Rs100 billion for development of the province.
He said around Rs100 billion was being earmarked for GB by the federal government. He also said that the volume of direct and indirect taxes had touched about Rs5 billion mark.
He said this during a meeting with Special Communications Organisation (SPO) Director General Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa, who called on him at the CM Secretariat.
The chief minister said that complete abolishment of Income Tax Petition Act 2012 was not in the interest of the area, adding that documentation was compulsory to bring corruption under control.
He said due to Income Tax Petition Act 2012, the members of the provincial assembly were declaring their assets, which was not the case in the past.
The chief minister said that telecommunication companies were collecting taxes from people, adding that diverting that tax money towards public welfare was only made possible after the enactment of the tax act.
He said mega projects of Pakistan Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have been started in which national and multi-national companies were taking active part. These companies were paying taxes in other provinces and they have to pay taxes here in Gilgit Baltistan as well, he added. He said no country could make progress and achieve development without a comprehensive tax system.
Moreover, the CM said that all the proposed taxes under LG system had been suspended, while adding that people were being misled about the proposed taxes under LG organisations for political gains. He said protest demonstrations about taxes in GB were wrongly reported across the eastern border as the enemy did not want progress and development in the province.
He further said that advancement regarding finalising the mechanism for the auctions of 3G and 4G mobile connections in GB had been made, adding that the facility for this purpose was available with SPO.
The issue of provision of 3G and 4G services to people of GB would be brought to the notice of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs federal minister soon, he informed.
Furthermore, he said that mobile service at all important points on Karakorum Highway (KKH) should be provided to facilitate passengers and ensure security of road users. The matter of installation of cameras on KKH had been discussed with an international company and progress on this front was expected soon, he added.
The chief minister said that promotion of technical education was important to prepare students of the province for modern challenges arising from the CPEC project, while adding that a technical board was already set up in this regard. He asked students to prepare themselves for job opportunities under the CPEC project.
He said that his government would extend full support to SCO in establishment of a technical training institute in GB for the promotion of technical education in the province.
