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Imran for tax reforms,

independent judiciary

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Imran Khan, Chairman, Tahrik-e-Insaf, stands for tax reforms, independence of judiciary and police reforms, cut in size of bureaucracy and elimination of corruption from society which is a must for good governance.

Speaking at a seminar on "Good governance: concept and practices in Pakistan", organized by the Centre for Development of Democracy at a local hotel, he said in Pakistan there were too many taxes which needed to be reduced. A tax culture should be developed in Pakistan and Central Board of Revenue (CBR) should be re-structured. Every new tax imposed should have sound justification, he added.

The Tehrik chairman said that a powerful accountability commission should be set up with the power to audit government and private sector's accounts and take action where any wrongdoing was found.

He said that he was in favour of tax on income from any source, including tax on agriculture.

Imran noted that it was not necessary that good governance was possible only through, adding that there were many countries like Singapore and UAE where governments managed their affairs honestly and very well.

He said in Singapore they had a strong and fully independent chief justice and he selected his team. "No where in the world democracy can flourish where they do not have independent judiciary".

He dwelt at length on judicial reforms in Pakistan and said as a first step an independent commission should be set up to study the judicial system in Pakistan and suggest reforms.

He also advocated establishment of Punchayat and jirga system in rural areas to provide instant justice. He noted that in Pakistan there were over 70,000 cases pending in different courts due to extraordinary workload on judges.

He stressed the need of police reforms and supported the government move and said that "they have some very good ideas of police reforms".

Replying to a question, he said if government lifted the ban on political activities, his party would definitely take part in local bodies elections.

Nisar Khoro, Provincial Chief of Pakistan Peoples Party, advocated a democratic set-up in which people had the power to select government of their choice and have a say in policy making policies.

Replying to a question as to why PPP government failed to establish good governance, he said that ruling parties were not allowed to complete their tenure and bring constitutional changes.

Welcoming the guests, Nafees Siddiqui, Chairman, CDD, said that the new formula of district governments to be elected on non-party basis is an effort to depoliticise the set-up in the country.

He said this formula had already been declared inadequate by world leaders. The formula indicated that with the formation of district government, the people of Pakistan would have to struggle., once again for many years for the restoration of democracy.