GB Tax: Negotiations successful, long march called off, joint committee to negotiate recommendations with with federal govt.
GILGIT: The Parliamentary Committee and representatives of Anjuman-e-Tajran (MAJ) and Awami Action Committee (AAC) on Wednesday formed a joint committee to present the agreed-upon recommendation to the federal government on the ongoing anti-tax issue in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Senior Minister Haji Akbar Taban while addressing a press conference in Gilgit said that both parties have signed an agreement and a recommendation document after many rounds of negotiations in order to resolve the issue peacefully. The press conference was also attended by members of Parliamentary Committee and representatives of Anjuman-e-Tajran (MAJ) and Awami Action Committee (AAC) announced the.
Minister Taban said the joint committee will leave for Islamabad on Wednesday to present the agreed-upon recommendations to federal government. He said peaceful and symbolic sit-ins will continue and the long march from Skardu to Gilgit will be called off until the government implements the recommendations. The government will end all cases registers against the protesters, he said.
According to the recommendations, both parties have agreed to repeal the GB Tax Adaptation Act 2012 and end the income tax, bank transaction tax, withholding tax imposed under this act. The recommendations mention that GB Council should consult Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly if any alternate law is required in this regard.
The recommendations further include that amendments to be made in Gilgit-Baltistan Mineral Policy 2016 and its subject should be transferred to the provincial assembly.
Via Pamir Times
