The federal government has found new ways to make us suffer.
KARACHI: The federal government has found new ways to make us suffer, it is thinking of imposing two new taxation measures: a 5-10 per cent ‘flood surcharge’ on the existing income tax regime and a two per cent levy on imports. With so much inflation, this is the dumbest thing they could have come up with unless anarchy is what they’re aiming for. Instead of burdening the few that pay their taxes and the millions that are affected indirectly, why not widen the net instead? Large agricultural holding looks like a logical place to start! As an MQM politician said in a TV show I watched yesterday: if you make Rs26,000 per month you have to pay tax; those who make 26 crores via agricultural produce don’t pay a paisa in direct taxes.
Another reason I vehemently oppose additional taxes is that there seems to have been no belt tightening by the government. With the begging bowl on display, they’re living it up in style. I was very irritated to see a beautiful Mercedes with a green “P1” license plate (Protocol - Ministry of Foreign Affairs) at a well-known hospital the other day, with a police mobile in tow and for no apparent reason the engine and AC were running while parked. Incidentally, I saw the same car and mobile cruising Zamzama at night. Fuel wasn’t free, at least when I last checked.
This made me ask myself that would I give alms to a beggar in a Land Cruiser? Why can’t we admit we’re a poor country and part with the pretense? Why doesn’t the government enforce a ban on luxury cars for official purposes and only use locally manufactured ones? I assure you foreigners will understand. Auction off all imported vehicles in government service and you’ll make a huge amount that can be put towards relief or development. Tax the evaders and those out of the net. Then come to us for more taxes; if it’s still necessary.
Salim Hosein
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2010.
