Memon said that the increase in sales tax would result in a tsunami of inflation. PHOTO: FILE
The recently announced budget elicited a strong response from the Sukkur Small Traders Association with president Jawed Memon accusing the government of deviating from its promises soon after coming into power.
Memon said that the increase in sales tax would result in a tsunami of inflation and complained that no relief has been provided to the poor, small traders, government and private employees. He also called for the withdrawal of increase in electricity tariff and and tax on tea, edible oil, sugar, salt and other commodities. “Slapping a tax of Rs5,000 on Haj is tantamount to taxing worship,” he added.
He hailed the government’s decision to advance loans to the tune of Rs2 million to the unemployed but criticised it for failing to fulfill its promise of raising the minimum wage to Rs15,000, ending inflation, unemployment and inflation. Memon said that the new taxes, including a tax on marriage expenses, will only overburden the common man and the government should cut down its expenditure on luxurious items by 50 per cent. “The government should sell its luxury vehicles and deposit the money in the national exchequer. The poor of this country have sacrificed a lot and now its time for the elite to sacrifice their luxuries to provide some breathing space to the people,” he concluded while rejecting the budget for not being people friendly.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2013.
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The third regime of Nawaz Sharif started with bad taste of budget for masses. There is no reliefs for businessmen and common people in Pakistan. During election campaign Nawaz Sharif was giving speeches and saying that Gharib Admi ka Pakistan mein bura haal hai or log khud kushiyan karne pe majboor hai. Yesterday you were the coaltion partners of the looters and again you came to the power and pushing the masses to the walls.
He is not parishan and restless after being P.M. for third time. During budget speech in Assembly the media has highlighted his wrist watch. This wrist watch is a leading brand and costliest watch its worth is USD 4.2 Million in Pak Rs.42 crores. The watch is costliest but hand is cheaper being a P.M. of Pakistan. Uppar wala haath neechey wale haath sey behtar hai. He is still having kashkol in his hands and welcoming the foreign aids with his both hands.