The Federal
Board of Revenue (FBR) launched its pilot project on improving taxpaying culture
by hosting a "tax fair" at the National University of Science and
Technology (NUST) today. Journalist Syed Talat Hussain moderated the event, encouraging
students to join the conversation on taxation.
"We've
tried to create a national discourse. We want you to be a part of that national debate," said Tariq Bajwa, Chairman FBR. "Most
of you are going to occupy positions of authority, responsibility, and
influence. You have to commit yourself
to being a clean taxpayer. You will be responsible for that change."
The
program was structured to include keynote speeches, presentations by FBR representatives, a theatrical performance, and questions by the audience. Students appeared critical of FBR's apparent inability in overcoming "personal and
political exigencies" to catch criminals who evade taxation.
But Change Agent Imani Mufti made taxpaying a personal feat by declaring taxpaying as an act of empowering people whom you may
never meet. "Taxes are more of a moral obligation than a legal
obligation," said Mufti sharing how taxpaying is no longer deemed
appreciable act of community building. "Break the cycle!"
"The
moral imperative of doing the right thing doesn't have to arise from
tradition," concluded Hussain.
by Ayesha Nasir
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