Pakistan Economy Forum has stressed improvements in tax to GDP ratio, which is not increasing significantly, fiscal crisis is deepening; taxes are insufficient for debt service and defence. The reform of tax administration is the single important economic task for the government, but it is in the doldrums since 2001.
PEF appealed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on behalf of the nation that, powerless, oppressed, malnourished, illiterate and shelter-less masses of the country are at a juncture where the State Bank is printing over 200 crore (two billion) a day, causing hyper inflation. Moreover, seven million youth are seeking jobs and shelter while Dollar is approaching 100 rupees, raising prices to an unbearable level.
In a written appeal, the forum raised various well-thought questions and appealed immediate enquiry of Rs 13 billion loan given by World Bank for TARP (Tax Administration Reform Plan) in 2001. It said that people are being crushed by poverty, unemployment, crime, lack of electricity, corruption and gas mismanagement. Almost, half of the population lives below the poverty line, struggling to survive under dollar a day. It criticised tax-collecting authorities, saying they loot country's dwindling and precious resources.-PR