All Answers: Re: [pakgrid] Re: Withdrawal of tax exemption: Teachers, researchers berate decision

I am not impressed with the quality of teachers in our universities leaving aside very few exceptions which are very rare of course. Therefore, no tax breaks.

On Fri, Jun 21, 2013 at 6:48 PM, Ayaz <ayaza75@hotmail.com> wrote:

Dear Mr. Asif and Mr. Arshad,
You have given some selective examples and ignored others - cherry picked careers perhaps according to your inclinations.

I've just made a point here that many other professions can make the same case also, including, but not limited to:

Primary/secondary teachers; Physicians, engineers, IT and other startups, artists and musicians, sportspersons etc.

The rather elitist point was made here that `music and fashion shows somehow were inferior or that "In a country where shoes are sold in Air-Conditioned shops and books on footpat".

The musicians or artists in the civilized nations you speak of make in the millions and are treated like out of this world celebrities so our neglected music or art or sports persons, who get many times less compensation than their foreign counterparts can also make the same arguments.

And yes, there are some shoes that I would prefer to get over some books and there are some books that I would prefer to get over some shoes - again a comment not worthy of discussion here and irrelevant.

Now here's the thing. I am not directly affected by this tax break as I am not a teacher/researcher in a Pakistani institution; and everyone is entitled to gather their colleagues for greater pay hikes or higher tax breaks - I do not have a problem with that - please go ahead and do so. However, there's no need for holier than thy comments because not only are they not necessary, they are, in many cases, a figment of our perceptions and biases.

Kind regards,
Ayaz

On 21/06/2013 4:17 AM, Asif Mufti wrote:

The tax should not be considered only in context of as a "tax break" but as a an incentives to attract researchers. Incentive is a powerful tool to convince people to work in certain field and type of work.To encourage local population in the US graduate students in the past were given tax exemption and start-up are given considerable latitude in Silicon Valley. Highly skilled individuals including researchers have choices and normally they are offered, perks and incentives. It works and have worked throughout the World. Having said this superb teacher are recognized by given cash and raises etc.

This works and have worked very well. So I disagree with Ayaz and Tahir.

From: Tahir Chaudhry <tahir@fe.com.pk>
To: pakgrid@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 4:48 AM
Subject: [pakgrid] Re: Withdrawal of tax exemption: Teachers, researchers berate decision

I agree with Ayaz Sahib
all are important and we have to focus on the mission.
Tahir Chaudhry
PIE
Islamabad.

--- In pakgrid@yahoogroups.com, Ayaz <ayaza75@...> wrote:
>
> Should there be tax exemption on the salary of primary and secondary
> school teachers also? They also belong to the education sector and, many
> of them will argue, that their role is of utmost importance in lifting
> the education sector. But then there are other sectors, such as
> healthcare workers, who should also be exempted; saving the life of
> someone is of prime importance also and there is a shortage of qualified
> health workers in the country.
>
> Why don't we rather ask for applying across the board taxation rather
> than bickering about my work is more deserving of tax breaks vs. your work.
>
> Ayaz
>
>
> On 20/06/2013 1:58 PM, Arshad Ali Shahid wrote:
> > Dear Colleagues,
> > AoA,
> > We must appreciate Dr. Amir Hayat for initiating this call. It is
> > unfortunate that the Punjab Govt has reduced/exempted the tax on
> > "Music and fashion shows", whereas the federal Govt has withdrawn the
> > tax exemption given to teacher & Researcher. This show the interest
> > and intention of our leaders for alleviation illiteracy and poverty.
> > In a country where shoes are sold in Air-Conditioned shops and books
> > on footpath, you can expect this attitude from our leaders. They are
> > not interested to bring the big fish (landlords and industrialist) in
> > the tax-net rather show their efficiency to IMF by such withdrawing
> > such exemptions and increasing electricity/petrol prices etc. , so
> > that they can get more loans and enjoy next five years. We should
> > stand up and raise our voice against this move.
> >
> >
> > Arshad Ali Shahid (Ph.D)
> > Professor and Head,
> > Department of computer science,
> > National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences,
> > Islamabad
> > Phone# 111-128-128 ext. 204
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 9:38 PM, Amir Hayat <amir.hayat@...
> > <mailto:amir.hayat@...>> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Colleagues, AOA
> >
> > I believe you are aware that the government is planning
> > <http://tribune.com.pk/story/564177/withdrawal-of-tax-exemption-teachers-researchers-berate-decision/>
> > to remove the 75% income tax exemption from university & research
> > institutes employees.
> >
> > Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman is the architect of current higher education
> > policies that includes better salary packages and 75% tax
> > exemption for faculty members of universities and research
> > institutes. The main objective was to attract smart people in
> > academia so that both education and research flourishes in
> > Pakistan. The policies did work, today when you enter any good
> > university, you find people who are highly educated, active in
> > research and as good as their counterparts in industry.
> >
> > While people in academia do NOT enjoy as many perks as their
> > counterparts in government jobs and industry yet they do get a
> > decent salary and 75% tax exemption that tries to compensate for
> > the otherwise wide gap in the related perks & privileges. If the
> > government is planning to withdraw this tax exemption then time is
> > not very far when they will ax the Tenure Track and similar other
> > Systems and take the higher education sector to the bad old days.
> >
> > The citizens of Pakistan had high hopes from PML(N) that they will
> > adopt education friendly policies and will significantly increase
> > the education budget. On the contrary the are adopting policies
> > that will discourage people from joining education sector and
> > encourage them to leave it and join either industry or
> > universities in middle east and in West.
> >
> > At a personal level I will urge the prime minister and the finance
> > minister to withdraw this anti 'higher education & research'
> > policy change from the budget. If that does not happen in the next
> > few days then the university teachers association should give a
> > call for peaceful protests all over the country.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Dr. Amir Hayat
> >
> >
>