We will resist forced collection of illegal tax: Pervaiz Khattak

Lahore: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday said Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) is an oppressive, illegal and unconstitutional tax which must be abolished immediately.

Supreme Court has already declared GIDC as illegal, not consistent with the Constitutional and against the basic rights, said Pervaiz Khan Khattak, Central Chairman APCNGA.

In a statement issued here today, he said that following suo moto action of the Apex court against GIDC declaring it null and void, the government enforced it through a controversial Presidential Ordinance.

Pervaiz Khattak said that now many superior counts have suspended the Ordinance but government is bent upon enforcing on one pretext or other making a mockery of law.

Troubled CNG sector is struggling hard to remain afloat making it impossible to pay the oppressive and tyrannical tax under the current set of circumstances, he added.

The leader of the CNG sector said that GIDC was imposed to finance the import of natural gas from Iran; the project has been shelved but Government continue billions of rupees extract tax which cannot be allowed.

Government is bound to safeguard the interests of the business community under Clause 8 and 18 of the constitution therefore it must abolish the frequently disputed tax forthwith, he demanded.

Pervaiz Khattak said usually the burden of new or additional tax is transferred to consumers but Government has been trying to put the burden of GIDC on CNG operators which will never be allowed and resisted on all possible forums.