The speakers said that the collection of transport tax was tantamount to closing the industry in KP, which would not only trigger unemployment in the province but also enhance the cost of production, ultimately affecting the poor masses.
The participants went on to say that the KP businessmen pay double transportation charges as compared to other parts of the country while facing major challenges owing to geographical disadvantage and distance from the seaport.
The meeting decided that a delegation of the business community will hold a meeting with the KP Finance Minister Taimoor Saleem Khan Jhagra to apprise him about their reservations and concerns regarding the imposition of transport tax by KPRA.
However, they reiterated that if the issue was unsolved, a phase-wise protest campaign would be launched under which billboards will be displayed on all main routes in the provincial capital, besides advertisement against transport tax being published in newspapers and strikes.
Last but not least, the business community will move court against the KPRA if all measures fail, they warned.