Pakistan's NWFP To Release US$17.6 MLN To Tobacco Growing Areas

Source from:  PESHAWAR, July 5 Asia Pulse 07/06/2007

The Provincial government would soon release Rs 1063 million (US$17.6 million) of tobacco cess for construction of roads and development of the tobacco growing districts of the province. Replying to various questions, the NWFP Minister for Excise and Taxation Fazal Rabbani Advocate informed NWFP Assembly that Rs 1063 million had been collected under the head of Tobacco Cess which will be spent in 9 districts. Mr. Rabbani said the amount was only reserved for those districts of the province that had been producing tobacco. "The amount is reserved for construction of roads and welfare of tobacco growers and no one could release Tobacco Cess for any other purpose," Rabbani assured the house. He informed that Chief Minister Akram Durrani had decided to release this amount without any further delay. Enditem