Farooq Sattar slams tax on education institutes. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
At a press conference on Friday, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the budget has increased the problems of the poor people instead of providing any kind of relief.
“No tax has been imposed on the feudals and landlords, and instead new taxes have been levied on salaried persons, and those on the lowest rung of the ladder.”
Demanding minimum wage to be raised to Rs15,000 and a decrease in sales tax, the MQM parliamentarian also suggested wages of labourers should be increased.
Sattar said that by introducing 'withholding tax' on traders, the government has hurt them economically. The MQM leader also criticised the inclusion of tax on education, and called it an anti-education budget.
Sattar was also critical of how no major policy had been listed in the budget to deal with loadshedding and the power crisis. He said that no mention had been made of using other resources to generate electricity.
He further lamented that no clear policy had been listed by the government on how to save state-owned organisations such as steel mills or the PIA.
Sattar also lashed out at the PML-N and said that when the party was in opposition it had screamed it would bring back the plundered wealth stowed abroad, but now that it was in power, it had fallen silent on the issue.
“Now when the PML-N has formed the government, it has failed to introduce any policy for bringing back the country's wealth stored in foreign accounts abroad.”
COMMENTS (13)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
That is good. Peoples voice should be raised.
@Aysha M: You are incorrigible. Aren't you AC\DC?? MQM has no ideology or policies, change positions all the time, going in and out of governments is a negotiating tool just like strikes in Karachi for any reason. From running with the dictator (hare) and hunting with the PPP (hound), you did both, as long as MQM held offices and ran corrupt organizations in Karachi. The Governor held watch and provided protection to MQM, who did nothing for the people of Karachi otherwise it would not be in the mess it is. .
Karachi is lucky to be represented by MQM, honest and upright leadership, representation of the people, by the the people, for the people
Except the concerns about perpetuation of warped taxation structure and lack of focus on education & health (which have been highlighted very correctly), rest of the complaints seem like fluff. As obvious from daily developments, we know that PMLN is working aggressively on resolving key economic issues to whatever extent they can (including energy crisis management and re-structuring of GSEs). I do agree that budget is too aggressive and we will most likely blow the fiscal deficit targets. But let's give the credit where it is due and that is at least new Govt. is paying attention to some core issues.
@Billoo Bhaya: Yes, on several occasions, and stepped out of the coalition to register their disagreement
For once I agree with MQM. But next time mourn in London not Karachi.
One of the reasons of my liking MQM is that it talks in plain words, straight and to the point.
Farooq Sattar's point is quite valid.
Instead the poor and middle class pass the poverty to the rich and might class, the theme is reversed.
The rich and mighty people are passings theur responsibilities and the burden on the shoulders of the poor and the middle class.
Mr Sattar, Next call a strike against PMLN. Where were you for the last 8 (Musharraf) +5 (Zardari) = 13 years??? Ever thought, or debated these issue in NA or PA?? Raising minimum wage? Why didn't you do it when running the show. Do it now in Sindh, you and PPP are in power there. See how many businesses survive?? Then you say relief to the poor?? Which poor are these?? The same ones you were sitting with in NA\PA and those calling at 9-zero?? Wadheras, Pirs and Ghaddi Nashins of Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and KPK?? Remember your Coalition CM's famous words:"A degree is degree, even if it's fake." You were sitting with fake degree holders in NA\PA running battha business and shutting Karachi like an On\Off switch?? What is amiss now??
Can always depend on MQM to represent the oppressed
bravo yet again speaking for the comon man , thats what MQM is reason behind MQM bashing that it speaks for poor and deprived
If we salaried class are paying around 20 percent of Tax then why Farmers, Shopkeepers, Landlords, Stockbrokers are living a tax free life or they are giving a minimal tax of 2-3 percent??. Why a person who is earning Millions through Shops, Businesses, Stockholdings and Farming is living an almost tax free life:?. Government must impose Agri and RGST taxes as soon as possible as we salaried class cannot sustain more burden from the elite of Pakistan. Anybody who earns must pay a tax and as simple as that.
MQM do have a valid argument here and point taken, but please don't paralyze Karachi again to make yourself heard.
So this is what the 'day of mourning' was about (thousands die in this city everyday, but only when MQM is affected by it we're supposed to stay at home and mourn). "Do as we say or we'll paralyze Karachi" - typical muscle-flexing from MQM.