THIS is with reference to letter ‘Taxes without services’ (April 11).

I understand general frustration among the masses which is the spin-off from tax theft on the part of the aristocratic giants in Pakistan.

We all know that the influential in Pakistan, which means rulers and politicians mostly, are tax defaulters, but these heinous acts have come to light, statistically during the recent elections campaign.

The shocking news is that a large number of politicians, who otherwise wear a platonic face in the public, are being declared defaulters. The situation is so very pathetic that an honest citizen would think twice  before paying any tax.

It is believed that Faisal Sakhi Butt, PPP Islamabad president, declared Rs7,500 income tax, whereas, his annual expenditure is reported to be Rs2.6 million.

This was nothing but a cracking joke for me because I paid more tax than Mr Butt back home when I was an English lecturer in one of the top government organisations.

The political mafia has started paying some amounts towards their taxes, the proportion of income and tax paid stands poles apart though. But there is a beam of hope in this whole election activity and that is: if they can pay taxes for the fear of getting themselves disqualified for elections, they would definitely pay to avoid legal punishments and impeachments, had there been a fair system and the rule of law.

This is how we can make Pakistan a dreamland our forefather dreamt of.

NASEER AHMED Reading, United Kingdom