June 98
How do you view the 1998-99 Federal Budget?
I think it is a political budget. While I generally support the government, I cannot, however, support the budget and the measures the government is taking to generate resources. The policies should be long term and not short term.
By selling assets and property the government can generate funds perhaps for this year, but what about next year? A time will surely come when the government will have nothing to sell. They should also release foreign exchange deposits, to renew the inflow of expatriate Pakistani investment, otherwise the people will never have faith in the government.
Mohammed Misbah-Uddin Ali,
Eastern Michigan University USA
Budget is a realistic one and reflects the government’s resolve to keep the country moving on the path of economic revival no matter what the odds are.
Jamil Hassan Siddique
Bangkok, Thailand
Individuals, trading houses and companies who are already paying huge taxes have now to pay more, while tax evaders will save more. This is the theme of this budget.
For example, sales tax will only be paid by those whose income tax ceiling is around 50 million rupees or more, while income tax evaders would not have to pay sales tax at all. This will discourage people from paying income tax, as they would find it difficult to survive the competition, because their products would become more expensive.
Jawed Hamid
Karachi