APROPOS
the editorial ‘Tax amnesty scheme’ (Jan 4). People who do not pay their dues
are wilful defaulters, and in fact, have been opposing the state’s efforts to
collect badly needed revenue to combat terrorism, targeted killings and
extortion.
In
most countries, such elements would have been tried as criminals (if not
traitors). In Pakistan, they are being rewarded. What kind of message is the
government conveying to honest tax payers? That they are wrong in paying their
due taxes? The only way to deal with non-payers is to confiscate their assets,
freeze their bank accounts, put their names on the exit control list and try
them in special courts.
The
National Action Plan should also be used for this purpose. Let’s learn from our
Chinese friends, where many corrupt people have faced the death penalty.
Shakir Lakhani
Karachi
Published in Dawn, January 7th,
2016
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