50% of all candidates paid no tax, have no NTN: ECP

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Almost 4,000 out of the 8,000 candidates, whose nomination papers were scrutinised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) till Tuesday, had not paid any income tax and had no National Income Tax number (NTN), reported a local newspaper on Wednesday.

It is estimated that out of the 14,000 candidates who have submitted their nomination papers to take part in the upcoming polls, at least half would be tax defaulters.

Sources in the ECP said it was disappointing to find that almost half of those interested to lead the nation do not pay any tax despite the media’s campaign against tax evaders.

The ECP sources said returning officers would be deciding the fate of such candidates on the basis of scrutiny of their nomination papers and the documents attached. It is also said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) team, which is assisting the ECP in this particular matter, has not been provided all details and documents of the nomination papers but are only given the ID card number and NTN number, if any, of the candidates.

In the past National Assembly and the present Senate, out of the total 437 members, 305 had not even bothered to file their mandatory tax returns in the year 2011. The number of such violators amongst the members of the last provincial assemblies is also believed to be very high.

This appears to be the reason why political parties from almost the entire political divide have been opposing the new nomination paper finalised by the ECP.

Despite making law of mandatory filing of “Return of Income”, 70 percent of parliamentarians (305 out of the present 437) did not file returns in 2011. According to a recent report, such violators of law in the National Assembly and Senate included 67.3% legislators of PML-N and 66.8% MPs belonging to the PPP. The highest percentage of non-filers of tax returns was of ANP with 87.5%.

Amongst the PPP parliamentarians, 87 MNAs out of 125 and 24 senators of the total 41 did not file tax returns in 2011 and these members include federal ministers and key figures of the PPP.

The PML-N non-filers of tax returns included 62 MNAs out of the total 90 and eight senators out of 14. 69% (38 out of 55 parliamentarians) from the PML-Q did not file returns. This included 35 MNAs out of the total 50 and three senators out of five.

From the MQM’s 62.5% (20 out of total 32) parliamentarians did not file returns of income. This included 17 MNAs out of 25 and three senators out of seven.

From the JUI-F/MMA 86.6% (13 out of 15 parliamentarians) did not file returns of income. This included seven out of eight MNAs and six out of seven senators.

BNP-A’s four parliamentarians did not file returns of income. From the PML-F, three out of five MNAs did not file returns of income. Amongst independent members, 79.3% (23 out of 29 parliamentarians) did not file returns of income. This included 16 MNAs out of 17 and seven senators out of 12.

8 COMMENTS

  1. this shows their zero percent sincerity to the country. And this shows that their party leaders too have zero percent interest in inquiring this such big issue.
    Thanks to SC and ECP for this effort.
    Now terminate them from the elected seats for good

    • We are targetting parliamentarians as they are favourite target of media. No one raised voice against jdges who were ecently elevated to higher judiciary. Some of them have paid zero tax, means they were not practising so no income. But if they were not practising, how they were selected despite clear provision of minimum 10 years legal practice.

      'SANA KHAWNE-E-TAQDEES-EADLIA KAHAN HAIN"

  2. Hopefully, action will be taken against these crooks now and they will all be disqualified. Inshallah, we will be a great country once honest leaders take over from these crooks and lead by example.

  3. "From the JUI-F/MMA 86.6% (13 out of 15 parliamentarians) did not file returns of income. This included seven out of eight MNAs and six out of seven senators.".

    Expect the mullahs to lead by bad example, shame on you, how will you face your creator?.

  4. How can we expect theifs to do ANY good 4 the people of Pakistan to prosper and work for this great country Pakistan. For God sake learn and use your right of vote with right mind and for right people.

  5. Only one solution must be acceptable to the nation. Throw these culprits out of election campaign…..

  6. Nothing has ever happened to these people and nothing ever will. Good luck to these people for being true patriots.

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