I USED to pay my vehicle tax at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Model Branch at Clifton, Karachi. Since the pandemic started last year, the branch stopped accepting the vehicle tax for some lame reasons and guided the consumers to another branch on Korangi Road.

I am a regular taxpayer. As I went to the Excise Department to pay the vehicle tax for this year against my two cars, I was shocked to learn that the amount due was more than double of what I was expecting. The official told me that I have to pay last year’s withholding tax along with this years’ dues, with the total amounting to Rs8,500.

My total vehicle tax for both the cars last year was Rs6,000 only, but this year, with arrears of withholding tax unfairly imposed, it has gone up to Rs14,500. The authorities concerned should redress this anomaly as many of the motor vehicle taxpayers are retired, and senior citizens in civilised countries are treated with respect.

Tahir Hassan
Karachi

NON-SERIOUS ATTITUDE: Unemployment is a major issue in our country and the government is trying to address it through various initiatives. But the young among us seem to be least interested about it as they enjoy killing their time on social media. Why don’t they make the most of the learning and earning opportunities available in this digital age? Those who celebrate cancellation of exams and cry over the ban on this social media platform or that have no right to talk about lack of opportunities.

Abdul Khalique Jalbani
Larkana

MALPRACTICE: There is a dumpyard in TP-II area of Mehmoodabad that remains full of garbage, and the waste is not removed to the dumpsite. Every morning at about 7am, a team of municipal staff visits the site just to scatter the fresh pile of garbage with the help of mechanised tools and leave within 15-20 minutes. The local administrator should take immediate notice of the issue.

Sharjeel Javed Siddique
Karachi

SELF-CONFIDENCE: Self-confidence is the inner voice that makes people believe in themselves. It enables students to take the academic pressure positively. They learn from their mistakes and try again, accepting that failure is an integral part of life. Confident people do not need validation from anyone. They trust their abilities and are ready for all the challenges that life throws at them.

Taskeen Samo
Karachi

A TRUE SCHOLAR: Proving the dictum that hard work ultimately pays off, a bus conductor has become an MPhil scholar through persistent struggle and hard work. He took admission in a private university, and used to work during the day and study at night. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he started giving tuition until he got a fully-funded scholarship at a renowned university where he is now a professor after completing his MPhil.

I am proud to be one of his students.

Khair Muhammad
Sukkur

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2021