August 11, 2007	Saturday	Rajab 26, 1428

KARACHI, Aug 10: Najeeb Yousuf, a former steward of the Karachi Race Club (KRC), has strongly resented the proposed move of turf accountants to charge an additional five per cent tax from punters in addition to their betting money.

“This is ridiculous and will deprive the race goers of their hard earned money,” he said on Friday.

A similar move, he said, was rejected in the past by the previously elected KRC committee.

“The imposition of advance tax will in no way improve the races,” said the former steward who has served from 1997 to 2003.

Najeeb, called upon the KRC Racing Committee to bring positive reforms and conduct fair races in the larger interest of the racing fraternity.

It may be mentioned here that the bookies are getting five per cent money from the winning amount of punters. The same system is practiced in Lahore as well.

The move was debated at the Racing Committee meeting held recently with KRC administrator, Fakir Syed Aitzazuddin, in the chair.