KARACHI, March 3: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Saturday said the culture of tax evasion was growing in the society.

Addressing the participants at the annual dinner of Karachi Tax Bar Association here, he said the people were hesitant to pay taxes and the amount of money expected from the collection of taxes usually did not reach the public exchequer.

He said: “Lack of awareness and public confidence may be the important factors amongst others which have created the issue of tax evasion.”

The CJP said that if the people were made aware of paying taxes, it was possible that they might become inclined to paying it.

“Indeed it would be good option to generate our own resources rather than seeking help from other nations at the cost of our sovereignty and self respect,” he added.

He said the taxpayers would be encouraged if they were provided with one window operation facilities and their disputes were resolved expeditiously at every level including the federal tax ombudsman, Federal Board of Revenue and the courts.

The chief justice said the judiciary was fully aware of the contour of its power and jurisdiction, as enshrined in the Constitution.

“This power is reinforced by the strong public confidence in it,” he remarked.

The CJP said: “City of our great Quaid has been tormented by the evils of Bhatta culture which discourages investment and scares people off. It is the need of the hour to eliminate this culture and provide safe environment to promote investment.

Therefore, violators must be dealt with with an iron hand and any hindrance in the implementation of directions on law and order situation of Karachi should not be countenanced.”

He said the judiciary had to ensure that the state organs and their functionaries also followed the constitutional principles and abide by its dictates. “In discharging this heavy burden of administration of justice, the court has to interpret the constitution and the law in a manner that the stability of democratic system, political dispensation, economic development, peace and security are upheld and further strengthened,” he added.