Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Women in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have expressed concern over expensive cosmetic products due to imposition of taxes, especially ahead of Eidul Fitr. As Eid approaches, the prices of cosmetics products have increases manifold. Aminah Saeed, a woman purchasing cosmetics products, said, “I am a passionate cosmetics lover, now I am bit concerned because of the increase in the prices.” Shazia, a beauty saloon owner said, “We offer many beauty packages for our customers in Ramazan, but now we have to increase the rates because of new tax imposed on cosmetic products. It’s difficult to keep the prices unchanged.” “Last Eid, we enjoyed good services that include facial, hair wash, hair cut with blow-dry and pedicure for only Rs 1,500, but now only facial and hair cut was managed in the said price,” said a local customer, Anum Malik. Meanwhile, Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said that only one percent tax was imposed on the cosmetics products and it would not harm the women folk who buy these products.” She said that use of cosmetics is not one of the basic necessities as it comes under luxury items and imposing only one percent tax on such products is not such a big deal.