APROPOS the article, ‘Happy taxpayers’ by Idrees Khawaja (Aug23). I agree with the author’s contention that if the taxpayers’ money is utilised for public welfare, the problem of non-payment of taxes confronted by the FBR.

I also second the writer when he states that the roadmap to achieving economic prosperity can start with our leaders exercising fiscal prudence.

Here I would like to recount two instances of modern leaders doing their bit to save the taxpayers money. The late Indian president, APJ Abdul Kalam Azad, when he assumed office invited his kith and kin to Delhi to stay at Rashtrapati Bavan. However, he paid for their stay from his pocket stating that they were his guests and not of the state. More recently there is the example of British Prime Minister David Cameron who travelled in the economy class of a Portugese airline while on a family vacation.

It is gestures like these that encourage citizens to pay their taxes and not mind parting with a little extra if and when asked by their government.

Nazeer Ahmed Arijo

Larkana

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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