The Walton Tobacco Company has raised its voice against what it deems as an unjust sealing of its offices by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government, leading to the abrupt termination of employment for more than 400 workers just before Eid.
During a press conference held on Sunday, Arif Zia, the spokesperson for Walton Tobacco Company, alongside Muhammad Ali and Omar Ahmed, expressed their profound concerns over the company's sudden closure and urged the authorities to swiftly intervene to reopen their operations.
Zia emphasised the significant contribution of Walton Tobacco Company to the region's economy, stating that the company has been the highest taxpayer in Kashmir, contributing a substantial Rs 240 million each month. "We have been actively engaged in business and fulfilling our tax obligations for the past 18 years," Zia asserted.
The representatives of the company alleged that their premises were unlawfully raided, their products seized, and they were subjected to threats of severe repercussions by the authorities without any prior notice or due legal process.
Despite the absence of show cause notices or income tax audits, the AJK authorities proceeded to seal all offices of the company, leaving its employees in limbo, the company officials claimed.
Furthermore, the representatives accused the government of turning a blind eye to the rampant illegal sales of cigarettes in the market, instead opting to target the tax-compliant Walton Tobacco Company in what they described as a mere display of enforcement action.
"We fear the detrimental impact of such unjust actions on our business continuity. If this trend persists, we may have no choice but to relocate our operations elsewhere," the representatives warned.
Highlighting the arbitrary nature of the enforcement actions, they pointed out discrepancies in the treatment of their company compared to instances where trucks transporting their products were seized by the police without any clarity on their whereabouts.
Concluding their address, the company representatives urged the AJK authorities to redirect their focus towards combating smuggling and the circulation of illicit cigarettes, rather than penalizing legitimate taxpayers.
