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

Although I was not a beneficiary of the tax break to faculty members and researchers, I consider this a great incentive for the faculty members who are backbone of education of any society.

This incentive was given in the era of Dr. Atta ur Rahman, when he was Minister for IT and S&T, prior to his posting as Chairman HEC, I guess in 2000-01.

The step of present Government to withdraw this incentive is highly condemnable.

The budget has also added more taxes on salaried class, a step equally condemnable. As already pointed out, Government instead of bringing big wigs (property and agriculture tycoons and other mafias), into tax net, has slapped additional taxes on those who have earnestly been paying taxes.

We need to raise our voice to be heard. What about arranging a peaceful demo next week in front of parliament, but minimum target of participation should be 1,000.

Kind regards….Wahaj

From: pakgrid@yahoogroups.com [mailto:pakgrid@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dr. Kashif Munir
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 10:45 AM
To: pakgrid@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [pakgrid] Re: Withdrawal of tax exemption: Teachers, researchers berate decision

I believe that the discussion started by Dr. Amir Hayat is not about which groups should be exempted from tax and which should not be exempted. The focus of the debate / protest is being made to divert. The point made by Dr. Arshad Ali Shahid is important in this regard. The govt. instead of broadening the tax-net has decided to take more tax from a group which has already been paying the tax.

The issue here is that a group, which has been exempted from tax by a large factor since the last few years will likely have its exemption removed.

I appreciate Dr. Amir Hayat for initiating the protest.

Best regards
--
Kashif Munir, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science
National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, Islamabad
Tel: +92 51 111-128-128 (Ext. 302)

On Fri, Jun 21, 2013 at 4:48 AM, Tahir Chaudhry <tahir@fe.com.pk> wrote:

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
> >
> >
>