Authorities have decided to allow the National Highway Authority (NHA) to collect toll tax from tourists and passengers traveling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan through the scenic Kaghan Valley.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Khalid Iqbal at the New Circuit House in Balakot. The session was attended by MPA Munir Hussain Lughmani, former minister Syed Ahmad Hussain Shah, local officials, hotel owners, and representatives from various political and tourism stakeholders.
DC Iqbal clarified that while tourists will be required to pay toll, residents of Mansehra district will be exempt. He added that the toll plaza’s installation has been formally notified by the federal government, which has also approved Rs. 4 billion for infrastructure development in the area.
District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur urged all parties to maintain law and order during implementation.
However, hoteliers raised concerns about the new toll system’s potential impact on tourism. Seth Matiullah, President of the Hoteliers Association Naran, warned that it could slow down traffic and burden an already heavily taxed industry.
Just last week, local protesters had dismantled a toll plaza installed near Naran, throwing parts of it into the Kunhar River in defiance of the toll plan.
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Tatti krney py bhi tax lga do na ta k I ki V8, BMW air Mercedes chal saken
When tourist Hotspots are overwhelmed then taxation becomes a solution. Ask Japan and Thailand before crying
Wrong comparison, Japan and Thailand population is not growing like hell
سیاحت کا جنازہ نکالنے کی کوشش ہے۔ زندگیوں کوبچانے کیلئے سہولیات صفر ہیں۔ بل کھاتی سڑکوں پروارنگ سائن اور مرر موجود نہیں۔ ان ٹیکسوں کا کرتے کیا ہیں
A DC or DCO has no jurisdiction to impose any tax .The best he can do is to facilitate collecting the taxes as approved by federal or Provincial assembly through SRO
ye intehaa darjey ki loot marr hai Ek Pakistani Pakistan mein ksi elakey mein janey ke liye inki jeebey bharey jab je ke mansehra waley exempted hai wo Pakistani nahi? loot loot ke mardo ghareeb awam ko
Road conditions are worst from Balakot to babusar top specially where waterfall crossings but no maintenance.
Texes on tourists only justifies when you successfully maintain road, law and order conditions, prices controll stability , managing public wash rooms, rest areas and all other tourist’s required facilities up to mark. . . . other wise it is looting only.
It should not have been imposed as it will reduce the tourism activities and if it is necessary be shared with GB Govt so it could be used by them for development of the tourism sites and locations. It is also suggested that the demand of GB to become full fledged province of Pakistan be accepted without delay and should not be co-related with status of AJK as GB got freedom from Dogra Raj and later annexed to Pakistan willingly
Devastating for Tourists and Tourism.
That’s not fair.