Flood surcharge: government urged to exempt working class

Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has urged the government to give exemption to the working class from flood surcharge. "Forceful implementation of taxes increases problems and the unilateral decision of the government will further burden the salaried segment, which is already under a tremendous economic pressure due to unprecedented hike in the prices of daily consumable items and uncontrolled inflation", said Shahid Naseem Khokhar, President MCCI.
Khokhar said that the working class is in difficulty in meeting the daily necessary requirements and levying flood surcharge is not a justified action by the government. At the time of floods, people of Pakistan responded positively like they did at the time of massive earthquake and extended great financial and material support to the people in need, he noted. A large number of people are still contributing for the rehabilitation of affectees. He was of the view that government must adopt positive measures to collect taxes and acquire trust of the people.
President MCCI counselled the tax department to review its taxation system and device a mechanism to increase tax base and revenues through rationalisation of taxes and consultative process with the business community. He also advised the government to reconsider its decision of levying flood surcharge and asserted that working class must be exempted from it. He cautioned that forceful implementation of unnecessary taxes would discourage existing taxpayers.