Gilgit: Imposition of income tax is challenged
Gilgit, July 7: The Importers and Exporters Association of Gilgit-Baltistan has challenged the imposition of income tax in the region in a court, through a writ-petition filed by Advocate Ehsan Ali.
The petitioner has maintained that the Gilgit-Baltistan region is not a constitutional part of the country so the imposition of taxes there is illegal.
Residents of Gilgit-Baltistan have been resisting imposition of taxes in the region on the basis of the globally accepted principle of “No Taxation with Representation”. The locals are of the view that until GB gets representation in the national parliament, they will not pay income tax to the government.
However, the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, which is a federal dominated body, has been pressing for imposition of income tax in the region in view of the financial issues being faced by the government, which completely depends on Islamabad for finances.
GBLA and GB council could not get the constitutional right how they are entitled to impose tax. It is also challenging and alarming for Federal Govt. authority that without representation in parliament imposing tax is illegal and inhuman. All this was due to bad Governance of GBLA and GB council where corruption was encouraged and basic human rights were violated. If committed Top management or professionals would try to take action against corrupt elements they were forced to change their decisions. Apart from this, resoulations would be pass in assembly in favour of corrupt elements and corruption was legalized. We never expect from Self governance such types of irresponsibility and unaccountability. This tendency has damaged adversely the institutional infrastructure of whole Gb. God better knows how many decades would take to restoration of institutions. We all well wishers appreciate all efforts carried by various committees and forums working for betterment of GB future. The struggle of action committee is appreciable and commendable
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