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

Yes, that is a serious problem. Not only a vast majority have a one-dimensional mindset, they also have a serious disconnect with the concept of basic economics. Many of the engineers and researchers have a tough time competing for mid-range positions abroad. A greater appreciation of humanities and art/music/sports could broaden their outlook. I think the problem is not necessarily associated with Pakistani higher-ed but also with primary/secondary education and societal attitudes in general.

Ayaz

On 21/06/2013 10:11 AM, abdul sheikh wrote:

I am not qualified to comment on tax exemption because I live abroad. However, it is my humble opinion that the engineering graduates that are being produced at Pakistani universities are one dimensional. They only know about the technical subjects and lack knowledge in humanities and arts. They lack leadership and creative thinking skills needed for leadership. This is why landlords, army generals, and feudal lords still run the country. Music and arts are essential for a progressive society.

From: Arshad Ali Shahid <arshad.ali@nu.edu.pk>
To: pakgrid@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: [pakgrid] Withdrawal of tax exemption: Teachers, researchers berate decision

Much of question raised by Mr. Sheikh Usman N. has been answered by Mr. Asif Mufti. I would simple add that in 80's many S&T scholars completed Ph.D. and many did not come back; those came back to Pakistan, left soon. I remember Mr. Javid Jabbar, the then Minister of S&T cried in one of CSP Islamabad event and admitted that we could not offer job to these highly qualified people. Mr. Tahir Ch. is getting Old (and started forgetting things). Then we see the Era of 2000- when Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman brought revolution in Education especially IT, and we see so many private sector Universities competing with the world class universities. Now you see Ph.Ds in even public sector Universities as a result of these incentives and TT salary package.

I am surprised that many voices have been raised against faculty/researcher incentives. But nobody has condemned the relaxation given to "Music/Fashion Shows". They MUST be having good missions; Govt should open more Universities for Music and Fashion design and announce exemption to those faculty; good luck to my country men/women.
Arshad Ali Shahid (Ph.D)Professor and Head,Department of computer science,National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, IslamabadPhone# 111-128-128 ext. 204
On Fri, Jun 21, 2013 at 11:39 AM, Sheikh Usman N. <usman.nadeem@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Dr. Arshad,

Can you please justify the quality of school, college, university teachers present in universities because of this tax break which was in place? With all due respect sir, I find most of them working for money rather than creating a knowledge environment.

I am an engineer, why should I not have the tax break? I am a bigger target for brain drain rather than a university/college teacher. Kindly elaborate on this. Thanks.

Regards

Usman.

On Thu, Jun 20, 2013 at 10:58 PM, Arshad Ali Shahid <arshad.ali@nu.edu.pk> 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, IslamabadPhone# 111-128-128 ext. 204

On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 9:38 PM, Amir Hayat <amir.hayat@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Colleagues, AOA

I believe you are aware that the government is planning 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

-- Sheikh Usman N."First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight with you, then you win" -Gandhihttp://sheikhusman.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/sheikh85