KARACHI:
This has reference to your notification appearing in the newspapers on 20 October, 2022 inviting objections from DHA residents to some fictional increase in property taxes. It is tantamount to putting the horse before the cart as the objection seeking formula of property tax increase is not available on your notified website nor is it to be seen on the Notice Board of your office. In fact, the tax assessment branch in your office has also conceded verbally that the proposed assessment formula is yet to be finalised. Despite having reservations about the quantum of taxes being charged from the residents, at present, in the absence of any reasonable civic facilities and being totally unaware of the equity and fairness of your undisclosed increase I have the following objections to make.
1- I have already paid all my taxes up to 30 June, 2023 on 5 September, 2022. Even if an increase is envisaged it should be applicable to the tax year 2023/2024.
2- My house is self-occupied but I did not retire as a government servant which includes a large cohort of residents who are totally exempt from the burden of property tax. We the private sector retirees are treated as children of a lesser god despite the fact that we do not have deep pockets like the privileged class around us. It is most appropriate to increase your tax base rather than taxing the already traumatised residents like me.
3- The Cantonment Act 1924 is an anachronistic law and needs to be revisited and updated by inculcating a sense of participation among the stakeholders across the board.
4- I will be in a much better position to forward my considered opinion and objections once you have worked out the methodology of your apparently unprecedented revenue generation.
Haroon Rashid Siddiqi
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2022.
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