The newly elected Hub Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Mr. Yakoob. H. Karim, Ex. presidents Mr. Maqsood Ismail and Mr. Ismail Suttar, and the executive committee have demanded the Balochistan Government withdraw the notice of Balochistan Revenue Authority for Collection of Infrastructure Cess on all exports.

Addressing the urgent meeting of the Executive Committee, Mr Yakoob Karim said that the industry in Balochistan is going through a difficult time. The industry lacks the basic utilities, including Energy, Gas, and water, to keep the manufacturing process moving. Despite all the odds, the industrialists of the province, and in particular, of Hub, which hosts 99% of the province’s industry, are trying hard to keep running their units.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Maqsood Ismail stated that over 75% of the revenue of the entire province is generated by the Hub Industries. Industries are looking for solutions to the problems they face. Instead of any relief, imposing new levies and taxes every other day would leave no option for the industrialists to pack up their production activity from Hub for any trade-friendly location.   It may be noted that most industries are trans-provincial companies that export the products after paying all the applicable taxes.

Mr. Ismail Suttar added that it is strange to note that the country desperately needs to increase exports and minimize reliance on imports; at the same time, such circulars for imposing new additional taxes are discouraging for not only existing industries but would also send a negative message for any new investment in the province. Exports cannot be taxed, and they should be incentivized if we are serious about the progress of the country and the prosperity of the people of Pakistan.