Asad Qaiser urges govt not to mislead public on tobacco earnings

SWABI, July 27 (SABAH): PTI central leader and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, has urged Khawaja Asif not to mislead the public through media statements.

Addressing a gathering in Marghuz, Swabi, organized by the Swabi Tobacco Growers and Dealers Action Committee, Qaiser clarified that neither he nor any member of his family is involved in the tobacco business.

“As a representative of an area where tobacco farming is the primary livelihood, it is my duty to advocate for my constituents,” Qaiser said. He expressed his commitment to addressing the concerns of tobacco growers, emphasizing the adverse impact of heavy taxation on their incomes.

Qaiser highlighted the achievements of his tenure, stating that when PTI came into power in 2018, the total revenue from tobacco was only Rs77 billion. Following tax reductions for growers and an increase in market prices, this revenue surged to Rs135 billion in the second year and continued to rise in subsequent years.

He asserted that while taxing cigarettes is justifiable, imposing taxes on the tobacco crop directly affects farmers. “The government’s recent imposition of a 390% tax on tobacco growers is unacceptable, and I will raise this issue in the assembly,” he declared.

During the event, representatives of the Swabi Tobacco Growers and Dealers Action Committee expressed their gratitude to Asad Qaiser, along with other public representatives from Swabi, including MNAs Shahram Khan Tarakai, Aqibullah Khan, and MPAs Abdul Karim Khan and Haji Rangez Khan, for their efforts in securing the tax exemption.

This gathering underscored the critical role of tobacco farming in the region’s economy and the need for policies that support rather than hinder the livelihoods of local farmers.