NWFP to write-off taxes, loans of affected families
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—NWFP Assembly with Deputy Speaker Ikramullah Shahid in the chair Monday adopted a unanimous resolution with amendment urging the provincial and federal governments to write off all the taxes and loans obtained by the affected families of the quake hit districts that witnessed the worst-ever disastrous earthquake in South Asia. The resolution moved by leader of opposition Shahzada Gustasip Khan was slightly amended by the law minister, who incorporated that the affected families of the quake struck districts should be covered in the resolution.
The resolution states that keeping in view the huge destruction all the federal and provincial tax collecting agencies and the financial institutions should be directed to waive their loans against the affected families. The affectees are not in a position after the dreadful earthquake to pay the taxes and loans, it added. It further states that the monetary institutions of the country should also facilitate the affected people in their rehabilitation by giving them interest-free loans on soft terms and conditions.
The leader of opposition while thanking the house over unanimous passage of the resolution drew a very gloomy picture of the quake-hit areas and added that it was no time to agitate controversial issues and instead all the energies and resources should be diverted towards mitigating the human sufferings. Expressing satisfaction over the relief activities with some reservations, the leader of opposition who belongs to Mansehra district, however, also referred to certain lacunae and loopholes in the rescue and relief operations as a result of which still a large number of people are passing through the worst kind of agonies and torture.
Earlier the members both from the opposition and treasury benches suggested one hour daily debate on matter related to earthquake in the provincial assembly and increased role of the legislators in the post earthquake activities. They also called for setting up a centre in the affected areas where the provincial ministers and MPAs could sit together to share their grief and sorrow with the affected people. The Deputy Speaker adjourned the proceedings to meet again Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.