Over the years life has become very difficult for Pakistani tax payers. The issue is not of paying heave taxes. The issue here is of getting some comforts, benefits for our services to the country. After all we work hard for the money we earn and give the state as tax. The basic purpose of paying taxes is to help the state in developing infrastructure, provision of health care, education etc for the benefit of the common masses which in turn helps the development of the state.
Pakistan’s economic conditions have gone from bad to worse in the past 2-3 decades. Pakistan used to rely on agriculture as its main source of revenue. However, we are importing wheat and sugar which are two basic commodities. Either we are moving towards industrialisation or we are intentionally destroying our agriculture sector. Only our supposed policy makers know. People can be seen standing in long queues for hours just to buy a few kg of sugar or wheat? Isn’t it our right to get these commodities without any hassle at very reasonable prices?
In the last few years we used to hear some people claiming Pakistan’s economy is one of the fastest growing economies of the world. Yet those people lagged the vision to add more energy to the national grid. Perhaps they thought that their statements alone will be enough. They thought that the masses would be happy to hear that our economy is growing and would not worry about 12 hours load shedding.
Housing is yet another basic necessity of life for all citizens. Yet salaried class find it difficult to even pay their rents. On the other hand the affluent get plots alloted next to hills or on prime locations for their loyalties to the king makers.
History is witness to the fact that the citizens cannot effectively contribute to the development of their state unless and until they get good quality education. Pakistan is a country which has three parallel education systems. The cambridge system is for the elite, the local system is for the average and the madressa system for those who cant afford either. Can the country prosper without a uniform quality education system which is available to all and sundry? Why does a salaried tax payer have to bear the frustration of not being able to send his children to the best schools?
Being a salaried person my tax is deducted from my salary every month. What bothers me is that I dont get anything other than frustration and humiliation despite the fact that I give a good part of my hard earned income. Wouldn’t it be better if I paid half of that amount to some ngo every month. That way somebody would benefit and I would also earn sawab from Allah. I see people moving around in new mercedez benz along with dozens of heavily armed gun men. But I can be deprived of my cellphone or anything at any time. The law enforcement personnel would turn up only after they’re sure that the thieves have run away safely. Dont I deserve some security as a taxpayer? Isn’t it my right to get a decent accomodation, affordable meals, health care just because I give the state a good part of my income? Isn’t it a shame that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam yet Pakistan is not a welfare state? I’m sure this was not Quaid-e-Azam’s idea of Pakistan.
Very good points on a highly unreported topic. Your opinion is very well organized. I wonder if the Zardari administration is doing anything to regulate tax revenues and allocate them in the right direction: education and infrastructure.
No government military or civil has ever worked in this direction. The only thing they’re concerned about is filling their own pockets.