HYDERABAD, June 17: The vice-chancellor, University of Sindh, Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, has said that tax collected on general sales should be spent on the welfare of the people.

He said this while speaking at a post-budget seminar organized by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), the University of Sindh on Monday.

The VC urged scholars to provide guidance to policy-makers to relieve poverty and identify areas for employment of jobless youth in the country.

He said the sales tax was directly paid by the people, therefore, it should be spent to improve their conditions. Mr Siddiqui said job creation and development of human resources could play a vital role in reduction in poverty.

The VC’s speech emphasized the importance of modern education to improve the country’s economy. He said ultimately responsibilities would lay on the shoulders of youth and it was the prime duty of elders and seniors to guide the youth. He appreciated presentations of learned scholars and students who discussed the federal budget.

Prof Qavi Ahmed stressed the need of producing competent teachers, doctors, scientists and experts in various fields. He said educated people must enter the private sector and added that the thrust should be on the development of skilled human resources.

Former pro-vice chancellor and founding director IBA University of Punjab, Lahore, Dr Khowaja Amjad Saeed in his lecture said the government had given relief to the people as well as salaried class in the budget. He said the deficit in the budget can be reduced if people play their due role by fulfilling their responsibilities and help the government.

He said there was an urgent need for transparency in collection of the income tax and double-checking system. He said it was encouraging to observe that the corruption at the higher level had been reduced to a great extent and added that it was essential to improve the image of the country.

He said the base of taxation should be broadened. He said that our society especially the educated people have to play their role for the betterment of the economy and they should make efforts for improvement of our traditional values.

He suggested introduction of double entry system and strict secrecy to improve the accounting system. He said that there was also essential need to improve foreign investment.