KARACHI�If Pakistan continues to tax local fertilizer industry heavily, Pakistan's National Fertilizers Corp. will be left with no option except to close down its industrial units, said NFC spokesman Khalilur Rahman said Thursday during a public hearing of the National Tariff Commission.
The hearing was part of an appeal the NFC had filed with the Ministry of Industries and Production seeking abolition of customs duty and sales tax on the import of sulfur and phosphate.
Rahman said heavy taxation on local fertilizer industry�including a 10% customs duty and 15% sales tax�has cost NFC millions of rupees. He complained that imported phosphatic fertilizers were exempted from these taxes.
Other phosphate industry spokesman also urged the tax burden be lifted. Inamur Rahman, a representative of the Fauji Fertilizer Co., said the government must establish a level playing ground for all companies in the fertilizer industry.
The NTC should make a recommendation within 120 days.
