The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sealed multiple units in Peshawar during a crackdown on property tax defaulters.
Crackdown on Property Tax Defaulters in Peshawar
The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department (ET&NCD) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has intensified its enforcement drive against property tax defaulters in Peshawar. As part of the latest operation, several defaulting commercial and residential units have been sealed for non-payment of dues.
The crackdown was carried out by the Excise and Taxation Office (ETO-II) Peshawar under the supervision of Excise and Taxation Officer Tausif Khan. The department has made it clear that it will no longer allow chronic defaulters to ignore repeated reminders and continue using their properties without clearing outstanding tax liabilities.
Special Recovery Teams and Legal Action
To speed up recovery, the ET&NCD formed special teams led by Assistant Excise and Taxation Officers Nasir Mahmood Khan and Zar Ali Khan. These teams were tasked with tracing major defaulters, serving final notices and, where necessary, sealing properties that failed to comply.
According to the department, many property owners had been sent multiple notices but still avoided payment. After the expiry of notice periods, authorities initiated legal proceedings under the relevant tax laws and rules. As a result, several units in different parts of Peshawar were sealed until dues are cleared.
Why Property Tax Compliance Matters for Cities
Property tax is an important source of revenue for provincial and local governments. These funds are used to support urban services such as street lighting, road maintenance, sanitation and other civic facilities. When large numbers of property owners do not pay their dues on time, it directly affects the government’s ability to provide and upgrade these services.
Strict enforcement against defaulters is meant to send a message that tax obligations cannot be ignored. Officials argue that when some people evade taxes, the burden shifts unfairly to compliant taxpayers, and overall development suffers. By sealing units and taking legal action, the department hopes to improve compliance and create a culture where timely payment of property tax becomes the norm.
Warning to Owners and How to Avoid Penalties
The ET&NCD has urged all property owners in Peshawar to clear any outstanding dues as soon as possible to avoid similar action. Those who have received notices have been advised to visit the concerned excise office, confirm the amount payable and settle their bills before their properties are targeted in future drives.
Keeping tax records updated, responding to official notices promptly and maintaining contact with the excise office can help owners avoid penalties, sealing and legal complications. The department has indicated that it is willing to guide taxpayers on payment procedures but will not hesitate to act against continued default.
Next Steps in the Property Tax Enforcement Drive
Officials have suggested that the current operation is part of a longer-term strategy to modernise property tax collection and close revenue gaps. Digital records, better coordination with local bodies and more frequent field inspections are likely to play a bigger role in future.
For now, the sealing of defaulting units in Peshawar serves as a clear signal that enforcement is being taken seriously. Property owners who still have unpaid dues are being encouraged to regularise their status before the department extends similar operations to other neighbourhoods and cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
