Source (Dawn) A taxation system would be introduced in Gilgit-Baltistan on subjects falling under the jurisdiction of the GB Council.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and the Gilgit-Baltistan Council here on Friday.The meeting discussed introduction of the taxation system. However, tax rates would be discussed later in the month.

It was decided that the tax rate in the region would be half of that in the rest of the country.

Further the limit for minimum taxable income would be higher for Gilgit-Baltistan.

Chairing the meeting, Federal Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo said that Gilgit-Baltistan Council and the government are working according to the mandate of Gilgit-Baltistan Self Governance and Empowerment Order 2009.

He said that hydel power, mineral resources, forests and tourism are subjects of GB council which is responsible for legislation on these subjects and for the development of these sectors.

“We need to develop these resources locally through concrete measures,” the minister said.

“Besides increasing bilateral trade with China and development of industrial zone in Gilgit-Baltistan is also essential for the region.”

The meeting was attended by Governor GB Pir Karam Ali Shah, Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah, GB Minister of Law, Engineer Usman Khan, Secretary Kashmir Affairs and GB and Chief Secretary GB and other members of GB Council.

The meeting noted that progress and development planning have to be within the framework of Gilgit-Baltistan Self Governance & Empowerment Order 2009, which is drafted with the consensus of all stake-holders and is approved by the Parliament of Pakistan. The federal minister agreed to the proposal that the session of GB council to be held up to 50 days a year and the process of legislation be made more effective.

Next meeting in this connection would be held on Sept 30 in which a final decision would be taken on these proposals.

Author : Wasim Anjum
From : Oshikhandass, Gilgit Baltistan
Occupation : Student of Linguistics
Cell No. -
Email: wasimaghazi@gmail.com

One of the first-class signs of any flourishing and economically strong country is the well formed tax system. In the western countries we see how they progress and why everyone is paying tax and plays a vital role in the progress of their respective countries. In Pakistan the burden of tax is on the shoulders of those people, who have inadequate resources and hardly able to cope with the difficulties of their lives. In simple words the poor is paying and the elite class is enjoying its benefit.

It came into my knowledge via electronic and print media that the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan is insisting on imposing the provincial tax. Because Mr. Mehdi Shah CM is of the view that now GB has the given the status of a province but my limited thinking articulates that, his majesty (CM) is not well aware (with apology) of the United Nations resolutions and its annexed history with Pakistan. The Gilgit-Baltistan is a territorial area which is governed by the Federal Capital of Pakistan since its birth.

The GB has got the status of a so-called province but not have the proper status like the other four provinces of the country. The people have limited resources and even not able to execute their necessities within this circle. I am not against the imposition of tax but in a dramatic setup of a theoretical province, where there is not any basic foundation and a flow of even reasonable resources are not available, it is injustice to the people of GB unless until we would not get our self-determination. I would like to ask a simple question from his excellence Mr. CM that, at what cost he is chanting the slogan of imposition of provincial tax? Where the residents of GB are barely able to muddle through their limited resources, their provincial premier wishes to tighten their hands with the cord of new so-called provincial tax. Where the people are deprived of their basic fundamental rights and where there is a dearth of unemployment.

For imposing a provincial tax, a province must be well operational with its basic tools. In other words the province should able to get control on its all resources and to use it revenue in a proper way. The GB has got hidden treasures and we need to do justice to those treasures. We have natural reservoirs and the revenue is been taken by other stake holders. But we see a reverse case and our treasure are sold in the hands of others multi-national companies, state agents and other land lords in the despicable price. The provincial Premier first take a look on to these things and then do something else profitable if he can do for his GB.

I can only suggest the Provincial Premier (CM) of GB that, it would be a worthless errand, if Mr CM accepts its ground reality. We do not fall under the constituency of a constitutional province rather we are living in a provincial setup, which has been awarded under the 18th amendment of the 1973 constitution. It is a long way to go and I am optimistic that one day we would really be able to think prudently, regarding our basic fundamental and political rights. And from there the northern zephyr will bring a change. Being a resident of GB I would like to see my motherland to progress day and night and for such thing we need to play our individual and collective role, so that we will be able to give a sound future to our coming generation.

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