I may be able to pay this amount, but think of all poor taxi drivers, others who may have to pay hefty amount as tax.
ISLAMABAD: I was astonished to learn recently that I have to pay a tax of Rs19,500 for my 2006 model Mehran car, which has a Lahore number plate. I learnt that from July 1, all vehicles of up to 1000cc must have 10-year tokens in advance. This includes 10-years income tax, motor vehicle tax, and “P” tax (whether the “P” stands for Punjab, province, or professional, nobody knows).
As per my calculation, I should be asked to pay a tax of Rs15,500 (7,500 + 6,000 + 2,000) for the next 10 years under the three above mentioned heads, but for no reason, I was asked to pay Rs19,500. I may be able to pay this amount, but think of all the poor taxi drivers and others who may have to pay a hefty amount as tax on their vehicles at once.
Muhammad Kamran Shakil
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2013.
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