'Flood surcharge after assemblies' approval'

President Asif Ali Zardari has said the National Assembly and provincial assemblies will take the final decision on the imposition of flood surcharge.

Addressing a conference arranged by the Food and Agricultural  Department in Karachi, the president said the world will not help Pakistan unless the nation strives for the welfare and rehabilitation of flood victims itself. He said the landlords should waive off loans of peasants in flood-hit areas so they could start a new life.

The president said the government is considering giving Rs 10,000 per acre interest-free loans to the flood survivors.

The proposal for the imposition of a flood tax has triggered much debate. On Thursday, the opposition in the Punjab Assembly demanded a flood tax debate.

The government says the purpose of the tax is said to be to provide money for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood-hit districts of the province.

The government's decision however has been criticised as "little more than a case of loading a greater burden on the proverbial camel that is the miniscule tax-paying class of Pakistan." Proposals have come forth for the government to prioritise its efforts at widening the tax base.