The self-styled VIPs in the country often fly off to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Haj. Can we, the regular taxpayers belonging to the salaried class, know on whose account this facility is made available to government and state functionaries? On the one hand, additional taxes are imposed on us ostensibly under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while, on the other hand, huge expenditure from government revenue is made without any regard for the fact that the salaried class contributes the most to the national tax-collection machinery. Who ends up bearing the cost of something very personal and religious obligation of the high and mighty of the land? Are the people on such voyages unable to afford such travels on their own? If they cannot, why do they even plan the journey?

Hasan Tharani

Karachi