The Tax Bar Association of Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the misuse of public funds collected from taxpayers.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, Naveed Qamar, the Tax Bar Association expressed deep reservations about the expenditure of taxpayers’ money.
The letter called for transparency regarding the spending of tax revenue, requesting information on where and how the funds are used. The request for this information was made under article 19A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right of access to information.
According to the letter, taxpayer funds are used carelessly, particularly on trips by government delegations abroad.
The Tax Bar emphasized that money collected from taxpayers should not be spent on such trips. Furthermore, the letter points out that given the continued deficit of the national treasury, the tax collection target is also falling short.
The letter also highlighted an increase in non-development government expenditure and salaries of public sector employees. The Tax Bar has urged the Standing Committee to form a high-level committee, in collaboration with taxpayers, to address these issues at a national level.
In addition, the letter proposed that funds not be released for foreign trips by government delegations without the approval of a committee of taxpayers. He further suggested that all government and non-development expenditure should also require committee approval before funds are disbursed.
