| May 12, 2003 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1424 |
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Islamization of secular Iraq
The new gladiators
Karachi Green Bus Company
Roohi Bano: concrete help needed
Who is exasperated?
Woman’s death
Goods boycott
Midnight knock
Cheering up elderly people
Violation of LDA by-laws
Gwadar Port
Anti-investment posture
Through this letter I would like to point out a few discrepancies and anomalies in the existing salary taxation system. First, the income tax rate of 35 per cent applicable to salaried class is as high as applicable to a limited company. This is totally unjust. Secondly, the tax exemptions system is also discriminatory. If annual salary income is below Rs600,000 exemptions of house rent allowance at the rate of 45 per cent, conveyance allowance at 10 per cent and LFA at actual are given but when income is Rs600,000 p.a. and above, all allowances become taxable and employee’s take home pay is drastically decreased. The following example will elaborate this anomaly:
From the above example it is clearly evident that if an employees’ basic pay is increased by Rs5 per month his average monthly take home pay is reduced by Rs6,818 due to faulty tax exemption system. Another practical problem related to this anomaly is that if an employees’ annual salary income crosses limit of Rs600,000 in the last quarter of the financial year when all his pay and allowances become taxable, how the additional income tax liability for the year can be withheld from his monthly pay for the last two or three months of the financial year.
If additional tax is deducted from the monthly pay of last quarter the employee concerned may get very nominal or even nil take home pay. If additional tax is not deducted, the employer becomes defaulter.
The finance minister,the CBR authorities and tax consultants to the CBR are requested that this anomaly and discrimination should be removed immediately and tax exemptions (house rent allowance at 45 per cent, conveyance allowance 10 per cent and LFA at actual) should uniformly be allowed to all salary income groups so that tax liability of each salaried individual is increased in proportion to increase in his pay.
If business expenses are allowed before computing taxable income of firms and companies why salaried individuals having salary income of Rs600,000 and above are not allowed to claim exemptions of legitimate expenses like house rent, conveyance, LFA etc. It is further suggested that maximum income tax rate for the salaried class should be 30 per cent with minimum relief of 10 per cent.
It is hoped that the above suggestions will be given due consideration in the forthcoming Finance Bill so that professionals employed in corporate sector are not deprived of their earnings due to higher tax rate and discriminatory tax exemptions system.
RIAZ AHMAD
Rawalpindi
I AM deeply perturbed by the news that the US imperialists have declared that a non-secular state in Iraq cannot be formed in post-Saddam Iraq.
I say this from the point of view of a committed secularist. Now that US imperialism has ‘liberated’ the Iraqis from Saddam, they are being cowed and bullied into what sort of state they ought to make and what sort they cannot. Such a diktat is effectively a slap on the face of those who had enthusiastically claimed all along that US imperialism would be a progressive project in Iraq. Imperialism is always worse than fascism.
I fear, on the other hand, that Iraq is heading for a situation similar to that in Iran where a secular US client was overthrown by a popular revolution in 1979, and, unfortunately for the Iranians, the promises of the revolution were not realized, as a secular dictatorship gave way to a clerical one. That is the reason that in Iran today a tussle is going on for the hearts and minds of the younger generation between the conservatives and the liberals.
Although, in Iraq, Saddam’s secular dictatorship was overthrown by imperialism rather than a popular revolution, the parallel with the post-1979 Iran is quite striking. Overnight Shia clerics have virtually become an autonomous force and are publicly calling for an Islamic constitution and an Islamic state for Iraq.
It is true that while Saddam was a worse dictator in bed with such dictators as Suharto and Zia, under him the Iraqi state was staunchly secular. That is why women enjoyed complete emancipation and were given representation in government; Assyrian Christians were also given politico-religious freedom. Ironically, it was only the Shia and Kurdish Muslims who were dutifully persecuted in Saddam’s Iraq. Nevertheless, Iraq had no state religion despite a 90 per cent plus Muslim majority.
The rise of Shia clerics has made the fear of an upcoming Iraqi state based on religious foundations all the more real. Such a state would promote Islam at the expense of non-Muslims and would be discriminatory. The examples of Israel and Pakistan show the worst examples of sectarian violence and discrimination to minorities when religion is allowed to interfere in the business of the state.
Similarly, Iraqi women who were one of the first ones in the Middle East to be emancipated from chadar and chaardiwari would be sent into self-imposed exile once again. Iraq would be in serious danger of sectarian violence erupting, which had been kept in check under Saddam’s iron heel.
The demands of democracy in Iraq not only deem that the United States stop meddling in the affairs of the Iraqis but also that Shia clerics stop dictating what appears to be an undemocratic and unpopular decision of implanting Islam in the Iraqi state. The Iraqi people need to be consulted on whether religion can emerge as a soothing balm to unite Iraq’s diverse population or not.
I hope that the misfortune of an imperialist invasion would not be further compounded by a clerical dictatorship ruling the people of Iraq and forcing this great, civilized land into darkness once again.
RAZA NAEEM
Lahore
THIS refers to the letter titled “The new gladiator” (May 1) in which the writer has discussed the role of the United Nations in the context of the Iraqi crisis and suggested that the OIC should be strengthened rather than the UN. He has presented many cogent reasons in support of his views but has overlooked many points about the role of the UN.
The United Nations has played a pivotal role in the Iraqi crisis. It has not only condemned the United States policy on Iraq but also demoralized the US in moving ahead with its intentions of making a unipolar world. Many countries like France, Russia, China and Germany did not support the US invasion and took a stand against the US and its allies. The opposition on that issue was considerable and it shattered US dreams. In a recent address, the French president said unequivocally that the US should learn to live in a multipolar world.
Before the Iraq crisis, the United Nations was considered a slave of America and no decision was possible to make without its consent, as has been mentioned by the writer of the letter wherein he has mentioned Kofi Annan‘s views as ‘master’s voice’. But these crises have contributed a lot towards its emancipation from the US influence. Many countries have started realizing America’s plan about the globe and are not going to follow it. Now the UN will work in its true spirit, as it will not be under the influence of one country.
The writer has also mentioned that as the League of Nations was replaced by the UN, so it is time for a replacement again. If we think about its replacement, then what alternatives do we have right now? If the UN is dissolved, then stakes would be very high. There will be a state of anarchy in the world and it will be extremely difficult to find solutions to the existing conflicts.
The need of the hour is to strengthen the United Nations. The Muslim countries should try to exert pressure on the aggressors under the umbrella of the UN.
JAWAD SARWAR
Karachi
THIS refers to the clarification in Dawn by the media department of the Swede Bus Company. The writer is trying to create a misleading impression by wrongly stating that the Karachi Green Bus Company is a Chinese company. As a matter of fact, the Green Bus Company is a 100 per cent Pakistani company owned by US citizens of Pakistani origin, who have returned from the US after the 9-11 incidents.
Instead of creating an atmosphere of hostility and mistrust, we invite the media department of the Swede Bus Company to visit our depot and see how we run the operations of environment-friendly CNG buses. Through your esteemed columns we also extend a hand to the management of the Swede Bus Company for working together for the city of Karachi in a conducive manner.
We would be only too happy to offer training and operational expertise to the Swede Bus Company on a gratis basis. This offer is also open to any other bus operator planning to start urban bus service in Karachi.
For the record, the Karachi Green Bus Company is called so not because the colour of our buses is green and white, but because the green colour represents the environment-friendly nature of our buses. It has not been easy for us to pull out our investments and move our businesses to Pakistan and we hope what we are doing is being appreciated by the public at large as much as it is being appreciated by the city and provincial governments. Our success here will almost certainly ensure other overseas Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan.
We are very fortunate for the cooperation that has been extended to us thus far by the administration and we thank our growing customer base for their trust in us.
TAHIR SIDDIQUI
Chief Operational Officer, Karachi Green Bus Company,
Karachi
ROOHI Bano is not keeping good health for quite some time. She is in need of financial assistance, emotional support and companionship.
The news of her illness has saddened many of her colleagues and millions of her fans who remember her performance in many plays, including Kiran Kahani and a series of plays titled Sachi Kahaniyan.
Roohi was known for her acting calibre, with rare quality of expressing through the medium of her eyes. She had full command on her emotions and knew how best to translate them into action and convert them into pieces of unforgettable performing art. Versatile artists like Roohi Bano are born in decades and are a rare species. However, she was unfortunate to have had a rough deal at the hands of the stormy cine world which led to her decline and eventual exit from the field.
A doctor from Karachi has done well to offer medical care and treatment to Roohi Bano (May 1), but there are other essential requirements too for which financial provision must be made and its continuation must be ensured. It is here that an organization like the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, can play its part by setting up a permanent sub- committee to look after the artists in distress.
Recently, the Arts Council did well to call upon the governor and the chief minister of Sindh to provide comprehensive official help to Zawwar Husain and Mujeeb Alam, both known and popular artists. However, in the case of Roohi concrete steps must be taken as mere appeals to high-ups would not be enough.
I am sure there are many like me who would be too pleased, not only to chip in their bit but also mobilize receptive individuals for effective and substantial response for this very worthy cause.
ABDUL JABBAR KHAMISANI
Karachi
MR Ayaz Amir in his ‘Islamabad Diary’ (April 25) comes to the conclusion that Gen Musharraf will be the loser if he sends the National Assembly packing home on his failure to come to an understanding with the opposition on the LFO.
What the general said was that he would address only a civilized assembly. He said this because our graduate MNAs behaved in a most uncivilized manner while protesting against the LFO. Never in the history of the National Assembly have the members of the opposition stood in their seats and slammed their leather files on the desk for two-and-a-half hours, shouting that the LFO and Musharraf must go.
This may be expected only from schoolgoing children and not from the lawmakers. It’s about time our parliamentarians learnt to behave as responsible legislators. This was indeed an act of desperation. So, it was only fair for the president to refuse to attend an assembly of unruly persons who, out of exasperation, could take extreme measures and bring a bad name to the country.
When they would learn to behave like true legislators, the general will certainly address them. Finally, the general is not so naive as to invoke Article 58-2(b). After all, why did he create the NSC? He is on record as having said that this will put an end to military intervention once and for all. So Mr Ayaz Amir, who is exasperated —- the general or the opposition?
SARDAR AHMED SHAH JAN
Peshawar
IT was very sad to learn about the unfortunate death of Mrs Marrayam Begum (May 6). There are no words that can offer solace to the husband and the kids of the deceased. But then there is the other side of the picture too, which shall never be forgotten by society.
Since the inception of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, innumerable successful surgeries have been done and countless lives have been saved, but never a mention was made of those achievements in a way this disaster has been depicted. In reporting such an incident great care is required, as after reading it, some patients needing surgery may evade this procedures and hence can succumb to the ongoing preventable disease process, increasing both mortality and morbidity.
I am not fully aware of what happened, but what is reported is a known complication in any surgery which tends to happen in any operation theatre across the globe. Why the sponge was left inside and why the third surgery was done are to be settled by the subsequent inquiry. Till then, the surgical team also needs the support of the community for the fact that the deceased will not be the last case they will handle. They need to continue the good work, and all the good work undertaken has a negative impact as well.
Lastly, please remember that no qualified doctor commits a mistake intentionally to harm his own reputation.
DR IMTIAZ HUSSAIN
Chaman
IT was interesting to read Ms Fatima Abbas’s letter, exhorting the Muslims to boycott the US and UK goods. May I ask her if she herself practises what she is asking others to do?
DR ASAD EHTESHAM
Lynchburg,VA, USA
IT is quite heartening to know that Chief Justice Shaikh Riaz Ahmad took suo motu notice of the midnight arrest of Ms Shamim Alim in a highly uncivilized manner by an army major of the NAB.
The prosecutor-general admitted and regretted this incident at a Supreme Court hearing. Where is the so-called “in-built” system of accountability of the army personnel? Is any action being taken against the major who led the arrest?
The NAB has conducted several such uncivilized and objectionable raids in the past. I would appeal to Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Jamali to immediately disband the NAB, as it has been harassing civilians and bringing a bad name to Pakistan at international human rights’ forums.
GUL AKHTAR MALIK
Lahore
WHEN one becomes elderly, he needs encouraging talk and positive behaviour from juniors — sons, daughters. Talk should not be snobbish or harassing that he has not done this or that. They have played their innings, good or bad according to their capability.
They need not be reminded of flaws of caught behind, out for a duck, clean bowled, run out or stumped. You might not fare better. Now it is your turn to play. When you go out, ask them if they would go with you for random drive or if they are not in such a mood, what they would like to have from the market for eating or reading.
Indulge in light talk and don’t thrust modern hackpack to confuse them. A light talk enlivens them more than any shopping spree or dishes. They should have the impression that you care for them and that is enough for them to be cheerful.
No details need be laid out, use common sense and be hilarious in your talk. You will get their blessings for your welfare and your sons and daughters will repay your debt of gratitude when you fall in line of completing your innings.
SULTAN AHMED CHOWDHRY
Lahore
THE LDA by-laws are on the verge of collapse at Samanabad. A house demolished opposite the Dungi Ground (Butt Ground) main market is converted into three small portions, totally ignoring the by-laws. Shops after shops are being opened, least bothering about the residents’ plight, footpaths are taken over by vendors, service roads and main roads by car dealers.
Encroachments are everywhere. I wonder why the LDA is not taking stock of this deteriorating situation. Kindly look into our plight at once.
MALIK SALAMAT
Lahore
GWADAR Port is of immense importance both for Central Asia and for the West. If we go by the past record, we find that the local people of the area have not benefited from many projects.
The Coast Guards is an outfit of the federal government. In this force there is hardly anybody from Sindh and Balochistan. Similarly, in the Gwadar Singhar Scheme, 80 per cent of the land was allotted to outsiders.
According to reports, the Coastal Highway Authority recently recruited 500 people, but not a single resident of the area was employed.
SHAHID ALI BALOCH
Karachi
IN SPITE of numerous pronouncements made by our ministers and others about promoting investment in industrial projects to generate employment and government revenue, the ground realities have not changed. The small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) continue to suffer at the hands of officials.
Now even the World Bank and the IMF have blamed the bureaucracy for retarding (rather reversing) the country’s economic progress. Here are some of the negatively-oriented rules:
1. All land in industrial estates has been allotted to big parties and favourites. They are now sitting on thousands of acres of vacant or defunct units. SMEs cannot get small plots except at astronomical cost. Nowhere the government is able to provide ready-made standardized factory premises with all services to facilitate SMEs.
2. SMEs are forced to set up units on rented premises. The owners of plots do not issue officially-recognized sub-lease and as such the KESC does not issue bills in user’s (SME’s) name. Sales tax paid to the KESC is not allowed to be adjusted against SME’s ST liability by the CBR on the ground of the KESC bill not being in SME’s name. This is plain cheating and double taxation of SME’s. Moreover, on rented premises it is not possible to carry out expansion or diversification.
3. As per SME bank, units set up on rented premises are not eligible for loan financing. No financing is given for purchase/lease of land/factory building.
4. Most of suppliers/vendors do not accept cross-cheques. The CBR’s ridiculous rule of compulsory cross-cheque payment of amounts exceeding Rs5,000 gives authority to tax officials to disallow major portion of expenses and thus leads to extortion.
5. Frequently, SMEs invest capital raised from other family members and friends who traditionally assist one another. Such sources of investment cannot be evidenced by cross-cheques and providers are normally not registered tax-payers. Tax officials pounce on SMEs who cannot explain their sources as per rules and then fleece them by threatening to treat these sums as concealed income. This is a glaring example of discouraging or punishing genuine entrepreneurs.
Tracing of such unexplainable source of investment is a major pastime and harassment tool of every tax official whose own unexplained wealth is never taxed/questioned likewise.
6. Tax assessment is delayed at the CBR’s end for years. One fine morning the tax-man wakes up and issues notices for immediate submission of a mountain of details. Documents submitted earlier are never traceable in the department. New ones are demanded every time with threats of ex-parte assessment. At every step, fear of tax-hounds acts as a nightmare, sapping entrepreneurs’ enthusiasm.
7. The KESC supplies its own sealed meters. After every few months they threaten SMEs that their meters are not working properly. They disconnect supply and re-connect after an arbitrary supplementary bill is paid and then they forget about the defective meter until they need more money to meet their budget.
If our bigwigs do not know of these ground realities or do not have a clue how to devise, implement, install a really powerful, effective, well-coordinated and vibrant organization and system to remedy these disincentives and ignite the entrepreneurs’ spirit, they will not be able to deliver.
S. HUSAIN
Karachi
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