News
Monday, October 04, 2010
Laws need revamping to bring influential into tax net: AwanBy Masroor Afzal Pasha
KARACHI: A transparent system of declaring assets and income tax returns by all segments of society must be ensured through legislation, so that people are aware of the earnings and properties of political leaders and professionals, said Federal Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan.
Addressing the ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Sunday, Awan said the government was very much perturbed over the issue that influential were not filing tax returns and his ministry was in consultation for legislation with other stakeholders and political parties to bring them into the tax net. “Accountability is for every one,” he remarked.
“The existing laws need complete overhauling and justice should prevail without any discrimination,” he said.
Accountability should be conducted across the board and not confined to politicians, he said, adding that ‘chosen’ accountability was not a barometer of justice. He said about 2.2 million cases were pending in courts across the country.
Nations never remember previous dictators, but only those who serve the country in a democratic manner, he said, adding that past dictators have no name today and “those who don’t want democracy are trying to damage federations”.
Referring to dictatorial rules of the past, the minister said all conspiracies against the democratic government would be foiled. He said the PPP has made many sacrifices for the protection of the constitution.
The present government has always defended the ‘Freedom of Information Act’ and made it a part of constitution in the 18th Amendment, he remarked.
The slogans of ‘Sindh Card’ were days of history as today, the present government enjoyed the support of the masses in all provinces, he said, adding that the government would complete its tenure and the next elections will be held in 2013.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk