Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The private contractor, in connivance with the corrupt elements of the CDA has started grabbing tax from visitors of the mosque and the faithful who come there for prayers

The Director Municipal Administration CDA awarded the contract of public transport plying on the route of the Faisal Mosque to contractor Raja Khalid Mehmood. He extorts tax from the owners of all private vehicles who come there to visit the mosque or pray.

A survey conducted by Daily Times disclosed that the contractor has started collecting tax at the rate of Rs 20 from every vehicle in the name of “parking fee” from all tourists and the faithful.

A receipt is also issued to them but it is clearly mentioned on the receipt that this receipt is meant for public transport and no responsibility rests with the contractor if any vehicle is stolen.

The CDA sources said that the contractor had been awarded a contract for collecting tax from the public per round but he receives tax from every vehicle illegally which is parked therein. Complaints have also been received about financial irregularities in respect of other contracts awarded to this contractor.

Sources said that this contractor was holding the contract of seven bus terminals of public transport plying on Islamabad routes including F-8, I-11, Bari Imam, Aabpara, Faisal Mosque and others.

A summary has been sent to the respective quarters for blacklisting this contractor and cancelling his contracts. A visitor, on stepping into the mosque has first of all to pay Rs 5 in the name of shoe protection tax.