ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Islamabad Goods Transport Association led by President Malik Shabbir Awan visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and called upon the CDA to set up a Truck Stand in I-11/4, Islamabad on urgent basis as without this facility business of goods transporters was suffering badly.
Addressing the delegation, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that goods transporters were playing a vital role in smooth growth of business activities as without their services, running the wheel of business and economy was not possible and urged upon the CDA to establish the truck stand in Islamabad to facilitate this important sector. He said CDA had already reserved a place in its Master Plan for truck stand in I-11/4, Islamabad, but it was unfortunate that the said facility was not constructed as yet due to which goods transporters were facing problems.
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He said that CPEC project was going to create lot of business opportunities for goods transporters and stressed that they should gear up to upgrade their transport for coping with coming challenges in CPEC scenario. He assured that ICCI would play role for resolving highlighted issues of goods transporters by taking up them with relevant authorities.
Speaking at the occasion, Malik Shabbir Awan, President, Islamabad Goods Transport Association said that local goods transporters were creating jobs and providing useful services to traders and industrialists, but lack of truck stand in Islamabad was major hurdle for them. He said that police dealing at entry points of Islamabad with goods transporters was a cause of concern and urged that IG Police should look into this important issue to address their concerns. He said the practice of forced capture of containers by the local administration at some occasions was causing business losses to the goods transporters and stressed that such practices should be avoided in future.
Malik Shabbir Awan said that goods transporters have to pay advance taxes like vehicle tax, road tax in addition to income tax on services, but FBR tactics of repeated selection for audit were creating harassment in the business community of this sector. He stressed that instead of harassing regular taxpayers, FBR should encourage them through various incentives.
Khalid Malik Senior Vice President, Tahir Ayub Vice President ICCI, Amir Aqeel Khanzada General Secretary Goods Transport Association, Khalid Javed, Zafar Bakhtawar, Khalid Chaudhry, Shahid Zaman Shinwar and others also spoke at the occasion.
