PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) has strongly denounced the threatening video statement issued by the Wedding Halls Association and has decided to register an FIR against the association for giving threats and issuing the provocative statement against KPRA officers.
In response to a threatening video statement issued by the Wedding Halls Association, the KPRA spokesperson stated that the association has openly threatened KPRA officers and staff, an act deemed completely unacceptable. The KPRA has convened a meeting of its Management Committee to finalize the modalities for registering an FIR against the association, naming all members present in the video.
The Wedding Halls Association will be held responsible for any harm caused to KPRA officers or staff, and the KPRA will take strict legal action against them.
“KPRA officers administer the collection of sales tax on services in the province under the law passed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Paying taxes is a legal obligation for everyone, and labeling it as ‘extortion’ or claiming the right to charge customers as per their own discretion is a clear violation of the laws passed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said the spokesperson.
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The spokesperson further emphasized that those obstructing tax payments or hindering KPRA officers from performing their lawful duties will face strict legal action.
The spokesperson clarified that, at the request of the Wedding Halls Association, the provincial government introduced a fixed tax regime alongside the percentage-based regime for wedding halls. The wedding hall management was given the option to choose either regime for paying their taxes. This decision was welcomed by the association, which also assured that all wedding halls would regularly collect sales tax on services from their customers and submit it to KPRA. Given the association’s assurance of tax compliance, such provocative and disruptive statements are incomprehensible and amount to a complete rejection of the province’s laws.
Paying taxes is a national duty, and the revenue generated is used to fund developmental projects in the province. KPRA is mandated to manage and administer sales tax on services under laws passed by the provincial assembly. KPRA’s goal is to make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa financially self-reliant, ensuring ample resources for public welfare initiatives. Labeling the efforts of KPRA officers as “extortion” and issuing threats is an injustice to their tireless work and dedication to the province’s progress.
The KPRA spokesperson urged the public to pay their taxes as their national responsibly for the development and prosperity of the province and then make sure that the tax they paid to the service providers has been submitted to KPRA. In case of any complaints, they can contact the KPRA directly and KPRA will make sure that strict and immediate action is taken on their complaints related to tax frauds and underreporting.
