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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gujranwala tops Punjab in tax recovery
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department Gujranwala has achieved the highest tax recovery among all districts of Punjab during the fiscal year 2024-25. Against a target of Rs3.66 billion, the department collected over Rs4.52 billion, surpassing its goal by a significant margin, according to officials. The offcials said the performance was made possible through a strategy led by Director Excise and Taxation Sobia Malik to keep all departmental teams on alert throughout the year. Major contributions came from the motor vehicle tax, property tax, professional tax, and excise duty sectors. During the year, the department collected Rs2.39 billion in motor vehicle tax, exceeding the target of Rs .87 billion. In the property tax category, collections reached Rs1.5 billion, while professional tax collections stood at Rs955.2 million. Other recoveries included Rs510.3 million from the "on highway" category, Rs104.9 million from high-value residential properties, and Rs60.5 million through excise duty. Director Sobia Malik said that the tax targets have been raised in the current fiscal year. She emphasized the department's commitment to achieving higher targets. She termed exceptional the performance of the teams involved in motor vehicle and property tax collections.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Excise misses tax target by 52 per cent
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department has failed to meet its property tax and professional tax collection targets for the fiscal year 2024-25 across the Rawalpindi Region as the department has only achieved 48% of its target, falling short by a significant 52%. In contrast, the Motor Branch of the department successfully met its targets in the categories of new vehicle and motorcycle registrations, transfer fees, and token taxes, achieving a remarkable 150% of its revenue target in those areas. Total revenue collection for the Rawalpindi region stood at Rs680 million. Due to the department's complete failure in collecting domestic and commercial property taxes, professional taxes, and luxury taxes, the Director General of Excise has ordered the cancellation of weekly Sunday holidays. Starting this Sunday and continuing until the beginning of the new fiscal year, Excise offices will remain open on Sundays to boost revenue recovery. In a controversial move to increase tax collection, the department has started issuing revised property tax bills by changing the names on previously taxed residential units. One such case involves Advocate Najma Malik, who reported that despite paying Rs150,000 in property tax under her name, a new notice of Rs157,000 was issued under her husband's name, based on signage outside the house. She has challenged the new notice with the previous tax receipt. As part of its ongoing crackdown on defaulters, the department has sealed 241 property units and recovered Rs3.1m in overdue taxes. Excise Inspectors have been directed to leave their offices and collect taxes directly in the field. However, with only 12 days remaining before the end of the fiscal year, achieving the collection targets for property tax, luxury tax, and professional tax seems increasingly unlikely, leaving the department far from meeting its financial goals.
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Excise takes over tax collection in Cantt areas
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department has taken full control over the collection of professional tax and luxury tax in the cantonment areas, issuing notices to 10,000 small and large shopkeepers in various markets and commercial centres of Rawalpindi Cantt and Chaklala Cantt to pay professional tax. Additionally, 312 owners of houses measuring two kanals or more in the two cantonment areas have been issued notices to pay luxury tax. The shopkeepers have been instructed to pay professional tax ranging from Rs2,000 to Rs10,000, while the owners of two-kanal houses have been asked to pay Rs200,000 and those with larger properties will be required to pay Rs300,000 in luxury tax. The notices for both taxes must be settled by Eidul Fitr, with instructions to pay within 10 to 15 days. Previously, the collection of these taxes was handled by the Cantonment Board administration; however, the Supreme Court (SC) directed the cessation of tax collection by the Cantonment Boards and transferred the entire system to the Excise and Taxation Department. Following this directive, the Excise Department has launched operations for the collection of professional and luxury taxes in all eight cantonment boards of the Rawalpindi Division, including Rawalpindi, Chaklala, Wah, Taxila, Kamra, Murree, Jehlum, and Mangla. The Excise Department expects to generate millions of rupees in additional revenue through this process. According to an official, the collection of professional and luxury taxes has been expedited, and a separate counter has been established for this purpose. After Eid, a grand operation will be launched to enforce the collection of both taxes, which will include arrests and the sealing of property units, he adds.
Express Tribune
01-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Dealers reject Sindh's new vehicle registration law
Listen to article Dealers of motor vehicles and their association have urged the Sindh government and the Sindh Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department to review the newly amended law requiring vehicle registration within a month. They have also demanded a three-month delay in its implementation to allow them time to clear their existing stock. Reacting to the enforcement of the newly amended Section 23 of The Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, the dealers have rejected the amendment, calling it unacceptable. They argued that laws should be made in accordance with practicality, and such rigid regulations could harm both dealers and customers. Under the new law, they said, the government has reduced the registration period from six months to just one month for all motor vehicles, including motorbikes, rickshaws, and cars. Expressing concerns over its sudden implementation, dealers said the law would be difficult to comply with. According to the amended law, "23-A. Penalty in default of registration. (1) If a motor vehicle, imported into the country by any owner or showroom motor dealer, or a motor vehicle manufactured in the country, or invoiced by any authorised showroom dealer or manufacturer, such motor vehicle shall be liable to be registered under section 23, within 30 days from its date of Goods Declaration/Bill of Entry; in case of import, or from the date of invoice in case of local manufactured vehicles. (2) Any vehicle imported or locally manufactured, to be used in any other province, shall be transported through a carrier and shall not (be driven) in the province of Sindh in any case without registration. (3) If an owner or showroom/motor dealer, fails to register such motor vehicle within the specified period mentioned under sub-section (1). he/she shall, besides the registration fee prescribed under the rules, be liable to a penalty mentioned in the table hereunder; provided that if the motor vehicle, whether imported or manufactured in the country, is sold by the owner/showroom/motor dealer who shall be responsible for registration of such motor vehicle, before handing over to the buyers." The penalties for delayed registration include Rs5,000 for motorbikes, Rs10,000 for rickshaws, and Rs10,000 to Rs200,000 for four-wheelers, depending on the delay period, which can range from 30 to 180 days. Motorcycle dealer and auto sector expert Muhammad Sabir Shaikh has demanded that the law be reviewed by June 30 and that all stakeholders be consulted before finalising its implementation. He warned that if enforced without revision, the law would severely impact businesses and the already struggling auto industry. "Businesses are already suffering, and such laws will discourage economic growth. The vehicle registration timeline starts from the day a vehicle leaves the factory, and expecting dealers to sell all their stock within 30 days is unrealistic. Even within six months, not all showroom models get sold," he said. He further suggested that instead of imposing such strict deadlines, the Sindh government should adopt Punjab's system, where dealers can complete the registration process online without bureaucratic hurdles or kickbacks. Karachi Motorcycle Dealers Association Chairman Muhammad Ahsan Gujjar echoed similar concerns. "As law-abiding citizens and dealers, we respect all laws, but we urge the government to defer this amendment for at least three months so dealers can clear their existing vehicle stocks. We only became aware of this law a few days ago, and now we are expected to ensure registration within a month," he said. He explained that a motorcycle typically takes about a week to reach a showroom from the factory, leaving dealers with only about 20 days to sell it or face penalties. Gujjar further highlighted that a motorbike dealer's commission is around Rs2,000 per Chinese-made bike and 2% per Japanese-made bike. However, due to tough market competition, dealers often sell at even lower margins. An official from the Sindh Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department defended the law, stating that the Sindh Assembly passed the amendment to curb unregistered vehicles and vehicle theft. "The law will assist law enforcement agencies by pressuring vehicle owners and dealers to ensure timely registration," the official said.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Excise faces shortfall in tax collection
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department of Rawalpindi Division is facing a significant revenue shortfall, with property tax, luxury tax, and professional tax collections falling 65 per cent below target. Excise and Taxation Department Director General Umar Sher Chattha has reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the poor performance and reprimanded officers in Jhelum, Chakwal, and Rawalpindi. As a result, three officials have been transferred, and strict warnings have been issued to field staff and circle in-charges. According to sources, they have been given until April 30 to meet their recovery targets, failing which they will face reassignment. While the property tax division underperformed, the Motor Branch successfully met its revenue target of Rs2 billion. The DG praised the branch's performance and announced that all vehicle owners who paid for registration plates will soon receive them. Additionally, the production of number plates has been outsourced to the private sector, meaning vehicle owners must now arrange for plates themselves after registration. Following the DG's reprimand, authorities have sealed 590 properties in Rawalpindi Division for tax default.
