Pakistan

'Flood surcharge after assemblies' approval'

President says National Assembly and provincial assemblies will take final decision on imposition of the flood tax.

Express October 09, 2010

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.

COMMENTS (2)

Nasir Jamal | 14 years ago | Reply Salaried class people must not be burdened with any additional tax. They are already facing problems and any new tax would definitely break their back. Further why is the surcharge being imposed in Sindh only? Keeping in view the fact that this surcharge has been rejected in the remaining three provinces as well, it must not be levied in Sindh. Mr. Zardari should also seriously think about brining his immense wealth to Pakistan. He has stashed away billions of dollars in foreign bank accounts. Instead of authorizing flood surcharge he should try to salvage the country by brining in his wealth.

AM | 14 years ago | Reply More important than flood tax is the tax which not paid by influential and "powerful" people of Pakistan. These people who have not paid their dues and have "legally" got away with large amount of money will help the flood victims and Pakistan in more than many ways. Please have some thought and talk about it more often.

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