MASSIVE tax evasion and the flight of capital from Pakistan continue to erode this nation, because state sovereignty cannot be maintained if the national economy continues to depend on foreign debts.

A country plagued by terrorism cannot afford to turn a blind eye to money laundering and must be seen exploiting all existing avenues for tax collection to raise enough finances to invest in education, health, provision of basic necessities and law enforcement.

Unfortunately those who have benefited from weak governance, whose greed for black money knows no bounds, continue to block punitive action against those involved in depleting state exchequer through tax evasion.

Let us take the high profile incident involving super model Ayyan Ali, caught red handed at Islamabad airport attempting to smuggle out half a million dollars. Yet months have elapsed, formal charges have not been finalised, nor is the FBR willing to prosecute her under section 192-A of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 for the concealment of income and tax evasion. As long as this nexus between political power stake holders and crime exist, Pakistan will continue to be the victim of terrorism and economic bleeding.

Malik Tariq
Lahore

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play