Decision to link new taxes to Operation Zarb-e-Azb a conspiracy: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that the decision to link imposition of new taxes of Rs. 40 billion to the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and rehabilitation of the IDPs is a conspiracy to bring the operation against terrorism into disrepute and prove it as a burden. He asked whether the rulers informed the nation about the reasons of imposing various other taxes in the past.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri expressed these views while talking to the members of the Central Core Committee of PAT yesterday. He said that the mini budget is a slap on the face of the Parliament, asking as to why the so-called guardians of democracy are silent on this. He said had the Parliament and those manning it been real elected representatives of the people, they would have stopped imposition of new taxes at every cost. He said that new taxes have been imposed as a part of the deal with the IMF in return for release of a tranche but the step is being forcibly linked to rehabilitation of IDPs.

The PAT Chairman said that the rulers do not tire of taking credit of improved law and order situation at every forum as a result of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb. They, on the other hand, are trying to provoke the people by linking imposition of new taxes to the Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He asked the rulers to tell the nation as to how much of money they released out of Rs. 100 billion they earmarked in the current year’s fiscal budget. He said that if resources were not available, why did the government tell a lie to the IDPs and the people of Pakistan?

Dr Qadri said that if the rulers have funds of billions of rupees for orange line train project, metro buses, motorways and decoration of the Jati Umra palace, why do they get pained when it comes to spending a few billions for an operation, which has been described as being vital for survival of the nation? He said that the IDPs left their homes and suffered harsh weather conditions for 200 million people; adding that such kind of attitude for them is not only regrettable but also shameful to say the least. He said that terrorists were given free passage due to opposition to the military operation for one-year and now the terrorists are being given breathing space by proving the Operation Zarb-e-Azb as burden.