Islamabad's G-13, G-14 residents in a fix as FGEHA, MCI seek taxes

Residents of Islamabad's G-13 and G-14 areas are perplexed as two government entities – the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) – simultaneously request property taxes from them. Ambassador Javed Hafeez, a long-time resident, highlights the confusion and anxiety caused by this unnecessary duplication.

The situation reflects a lack of coordination between the two organisations, according to Hafeez. Property tax notices from both FGEHA and MCI have been shared by several residents, revealing a turf war between the CDA and FGEHA over the tax collection. Both Islamabad High Court and Wafaqi Mohtsib ruled in favour of FGEHA collecting the tax, as it performs municipal functions in these sectors.

Residents have been paying the tax to FGEHA for the past six years, but now MCI is demanding the same tax. A government officer in G-13 expresses confusion and bewilderment over the double taxation. Another resident criticizes the inadequate services provided by the housing authority, citing water scarcity and non-serious attitude.

A senior resident, pursuing court cases, states that residents are tired of repeatedly visiting government offices and courts to resolve issues not of their making. Faiz Umer Sial, an FGEHA officer, asserts that both sectors belong to FGEHA and that they provide all municipal services, thus they should collect taxes. The CDA/MCI director of revenue, Kashif Niaz, claims that the Local Government Act empowers MCI to levy property taxes, and that provision of services has nothing to do with tax collection.