CJP proposes to restore tax on prepaid mobile cards

Will only implement if the people agree, says chief justice

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has proposed reintroduction of tax on prepaid mobile phone cards in an effort to raise funds for the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

However, he said the tax would be imposed only if the people of the country support the move and urged people to weigh in on the issue.

He floated the idea while addressing a fundraiser hosted by the UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in London.  The chief justice appreciated overseas Pakistanis for always the first ones to help the nation during difficult times.

Speaking on the occasion, the CJP added it was heartening to see an awareness campaign regarding the need of dams to overcome water shortages has now grown into a worldwide campaign which has greatly benefited the cause of Pakistan. He also thanked the organisers for holding the event in connection with fundraising campaign for building of Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dams.



“Fundraising campaign for Diamer-Basha and Mohmand dams has now become a global humanitarian movement and it will continue till completion of the dams,” said the top judge reiterating the need for reservoirs to secure future generations.

The participants of the fundraiser in London contributed over 1.2 million Pounds to the dam fund.

"Water is a blessing of Allah and essential for life and the existence and prosperity of Pakistan is directly linked with the building of dams,” he said urging people around the world especially overseas Pakistanis to actively participate in the campaign and generously donate funds.

Meanwhile, talking about means to generate more funds for the drive, the country’s top judge proposed re-imposing tax on prepaid mobile phone cards. “If the nation allows, then we will re-impose the tax on the top-up of prepaid cards and collect money for the dam fund,” he added.

“It will not be appropriate to impose taxes to collect funds for the construction of dams. However, we had earlier suspended withholding tax on the top-up of prepaid cards by network service providers and learnt that through this measure, Rs3 billion were saved per month.”

The CJP also spoke of the water crisis currently being faced by the people of Karachi, Lahore and Quetta and blamed the water mafia for shortage while vowing to build more dams on the River Indus to overcome looming water crisis.

Putting emphasis on the construction of Kalabagh Dam, he said that the only reason the plans failed is due to the disagreement between the provinces.

CJP Nisar said that he does not wish to impose additional taxes on the people of Pakistan, who are already facing an economic plight and the re-imposition of the tax on prepaid mobile phone cards is only a proposal.

“Even the transgender persons who had little income have also contributed Rs200,000 in the dams fund in Pakistan,” said CJP Nisar lauding all those who have pledged for the fund.

Moreover, praising contributions of overseas Pakistanis, he said they have always stood up and helped Pakistan in the hour of need as he assured the Pakistani diaspora of steps being taken to resolve their genuine issues. “The Pakistani diaspora has greatly contributed to promoting the health and education sector back home”.



The top judge also told the audience a human rights cell has been established in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and highlighted that provision of justice is prerequisite for socio-economic development of a country and efforts are being made to achieve this objective.

“A transparent check and balance system has been put in place for judicious utilisation of the donated funds,” the CJP informed overseas donors adding that since he had started visiting hospitals and other public service institutions in Pakistan, their performance has started improving .

“These funds are a loan from the nation and I will hand them over to a trustworthy man before leaving,” he said vowing to protect every penny donated to the dam fund.

Furthermore, speaking on the occasion, General Secretary UKPCCI Waheedur Rehman assured the CJP his organisation would actively take part in the fund raising campaign for Diamer Basha and Mohmand dams initiated by the Prime Minister Imran Khan and the CJP himself. Other speakers on the occasion highly appreciated the chief justice’s initiative for construction of dams to overcome Pakistan’s looming water crisis. (With additional input from APP)