PML-Q rejects taxation for flood rehabilitation

PML-Q rejects proposed by government to levy one-time surcharge on all income groups to generate more than Rs50b.

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Muslim League -Quaid (PML-Q) on Friday rejected a proposed plan by the government to levy a one-time surcharge on all income groups to generate more than Rs50 billion for the rehabilitation of flood-hit areas, saying it would put extra burden on the middle class.

“The poor are already sinking under the present tax system and the rich are enjoying the money paid by these people in the shape of General Sales Tax,” said the party’s Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

Quoting figures of 5.3 million people, who lost their jobs because of the floods, he said that the poverty ratio will rise and will push the poor into the dark alley.

While addressing a news conference, he lashed out at the government and the PML-N for “their inability” to cope with the post-flood situation in the country. He alleged that the incumbent government had embezzled Rs600 billion from the national exchequer to fill their own coffers. PML-Q is the second major political party to have opposed the flood tax idea. MQM opposed the proposal earlier in a meeting with the PM.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2010.