By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: The imposition of agricultural income tax on the condition of IMF by the government has caused severe displeasure and distress among the farmers
together with the opposition gave the indication of protest.
Ali Haider Gilani, parliamentary party leader of Pakistan People’s Party, says when the bill was presented in assembly, the PPP opposed it and boycotted it.
“The PPP will never want any tax to be imposed on farmers. The issue of farmers is very sensitive, they will not be pressured,” he added.
Our members submitted some amendments during the discussion of the Bill in the Standing Committee and also wrote a dissenting note but it was not made a part of the report. It is an achievement,” PT Member of Assembly Rana Aftab Ahmed said.
According to Article 142 of the Constitution, agriculture cannot be taxed, so this bill is against the Constitution and is meant to please the IMF.
Farmers’ organizations say that forty per cent income tax on farmers mean killing the farmer completely.
After the approval of the bill, it is known how the British government continued to rule over the Indian sub-continent. If the name of the oppression of the people of Punjab is mentioned, then the present government will definitely be mentioned, the organizations added. There are big tycoons and big businessmen in this country. There are big media houses, instead of taxing them, the oppressed farmers are being taxed, they concluded.
