16 February 2005	Wednesday	06 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: Senator Enver Baig of People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) on Monday questioned the government about increasing airport taxes from Feb 16 and said the passengers were being subjected to multiple taxation. However, the government could not respond to the concerns raised by the senator, as the minister concerned was not present in the Senate.

Speaking on a point of order, Senator Baig said the passengers were being fleeced through various taxes and the same were being increased again. Questioning the proposed increase in airport taxes from Feb 16, he said the taxes would be increased from Rs400 to Rs700 for the economy class and from Rs700 to Rs1300 for the business class.

He said the airlines were also charging 1.5 per cent central excise duty on the tickets in addition to Rs300 per coupon for international flights. He said the passengers had to buy multiple coupons if they stopped at different international destinations.

Senator Baig said the passengers were being subjected to multiple taxation on account of fuel surcharge, war risk insurance and central excise duty.

He said the benefit of reduction in fuel prices was not passed on to the passengers. Moreover, he said the war risk premium was also included in the ticket costs even though the Afghan war was over.