GILGIT: The GilgitBaltistan hotel owners association on Sunday opposed levy of income tax on them by the federal government, terming it violation of the Supreme Court of Pakistan`s verdict.

The association`s leaders announced to approach the apex court against the GB Council`s order.

The concern was expressed at a meeting of the association in Gilgit on Sunday, which was chaired by its president Raja Nasir.

The participants said without determining GB`s constitutional status and providing it representation in parliament, the imposition of taxes on local people was unacceptable.

They expressed fear that collecting income and sales taxes from hotel owners was tantamount to their financial murder, saying the measure would result in closure of hotel industry in the region.

Members of the association said the government had its eyes on the feeble incomes earned by the hotels during the five-month tourism season.

It is to mention here that recently, GB hotel owners received letters from the GB Council Secretariat, asking them to file tax returns for the last three years.

The order said that no return of total income tax file or application for registration for obtaining national tax number (NTN) had been received despite passage of so much time.

The notice required the hoteliers to submit application for registration in the prescribed form and prescribed manner and the due date for compliance is Oct 10.

In the notice, it was stated that both income tax and sale tax were the subjects of GB Council which was set up under GB Empowerment and Self-Governance order 2009, which is also considered the constitution of GB.Correspondent