The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has expressed concerns over revised property tax assessments and the sanitation fee introduced under the Suthra Punjab programme, citing additional financial pressure on the business community.An RCCI delegation led by President Nosherwan Khalil Khan met Nauman Khalid, Director Excise & Taxation, Rawalpindi Division, to discuss issues arising from recent Finance Act amendments, property tax valuation procedures and sanitation charges. Senior Vice President Waseem Aslam, Vice President Ikram Abbasi, Executive Committee members and business representatives also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the growing financial burden on businesses amid rising energy costs, utility bills and operational expenses. It also raised concerns over possible duplication of charges, noting that businesses already pay various fees to WASA and the Excise & Taxation Department.The RCCI delegation objected to making payment of the sanitation fee mandatory for obtaining No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for property transfers and commercial transactions, particularly in cases where bills have not been issued or received.RCCI President Nosherwan Khalil Khan stressed that taxation policies should be transparent, fair and developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders. He called for a review of property tax assessments to address discrepancies and ensure equitable valuations.The Chamber urged authorities to calculate sanitation charges based on updated field surveys and actual service coverage, provide relief and appropriate classifications for small businesses, and eliminate overlapping charges. It also proposed an effective complaint resolution system, online complaint tracking, reasonable grace periods and instalment facilities.
The delegation further called for suspending penalties and late-payment surcharges on disputed bills until the issues are resolved, along with reviewing the mandatory NOC requirement.RCCI emphasised that a fair and practical implementation mechanism is necessary to protect business interests, facilitate property transactions and prevent additional financial pressure on the business community.
