All Departments Must Uniformly Implement Government Decision to End Trade Licences in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD (News Reporter): Former Senior Vice President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Secretary of the Traders Action Committee Islamabad, Khalid Chaudhry, has urged Chief Commissioner Islamabad Lieutenant Sohail Ashraf to ensure uniform implementation across all relevant departments of the federal government’s decision to abolish all types of trade licences in the federal capital.
He demanded that the issuance of business licences by the Islamabad Food Authority and licences/notices issued by the Excise Department under professional tax should also be stopped immediately.
Khalid Chaudhry said that following the federal government’s decision to abolish all types of trade licences in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), the Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) had already issued a formal notification stopping the issuance of trade licences.
He said that after this decision, there should be no justification for the Islamabad Food Authority and Excise Department to continue requiring traders to obtain licences of a similar nature or imposing licensing requirements under the name of professional tax.
He called on the Chief Commissioner Islamabad to issue clear directions to both departments, as the Islamabad Food Authority and Excise Department operate under the administrative jurisdiction of the Islamabad administration.
He demanded that formal notifications be issued immediately to stop the issuance of Food Authority business licences as well as licences and notices related to professional tax by the Excise Department.
Khalid Chaudhry said that abolishing trade licences through one government department while other departments continue licensing businesses under different names creates serious confusion and difficulties for the business community.
“If the government has decided to free businesses in the federal capital from unnecessary licensing requirements, the policy should be applied uniformly and without discrimination to all relevant departments,” he said.
He said traders in Islamabad believe in full compliance with the law and support implementation of all necessary regulations, including food safety laws.
However, he maintained that the business community should not be subjected to licences or financial obligations that contradict the government’s prevailing policy.
He said that frequent and differing instructions from various departments create uncertainty among traders and negatively affect business activities.
Khalid Chaudhry further said that the establishment and legal status of the Islamabad Food Authority is also under consideration before the Islamabad High Court.
He said that the petition reportedly refers to audit observations of the Auditor General of Pakistan and raises legal objections concerning the establishment of the authority.
He acknowledged that the final decision on the matter rests with the court, but said that traders need a clear government policy and transparent legal procedure regarding licensing requirements during the pendency of the case.
Khalid Chaudhry urged the Chief Commissioner Islamabad to take immediate steps to end the uncertainty among traders by issuing a clear notification.
He demanded that the issuance of business licences by the Islamabad Food Authority be stopped, the Excise Department be directed not to issue professional-tax-related licences and notices, and a single, clear, transparent, and uniform policy be implemented throughout Islamabad in accordance with the federal government’s decision.