Oil tax for nation, tax free oil for Nato

ISLAMABAD When it comes to NATO or United States of America, every law in Pakistan becomes ineffective, as NATO forces have been exempted from oil tax since the tenure of Pervaiz Musharaf while the burden on common man is being increased with each passing day by the Government. While the people of Pakistan are paying Rs 30 per litre on petrol, NATO forces, in other words American forces engaged here in war on terror and international donor agencies, have been enjoying tax exemption on oil since long. The members of Standing Committee of National Assembly on Petroleum were also shocked in a meeting few days back after knowing about an agreement signed in the tenure of Pervez Musharraf regarding relaxation to the said organisations working in Pakistan. Ordinary people of Pakistan pay Rs 73 for one litre petrol and on the other hand those who own the major part of worlds resources are just paying Rs 42 per litre petrol. It is also pertinent to mention here that the said policy is not even changeable, as it is the finalised policy of Ministry of Trade, DG Oil told the Committee when they asked that why the policy is not being changed. Certain quarters believe that America has just damaged Pakistan by starting war on terror. The economy of the country has almost collapsed and the NATO forces and America have no plan or suggestion to revive it but they are sharp enough to obtain this type of relaxations. It is also pertinent mention here that the USA owes billions to Pakistan that it committed to pay. These quarters also insist that America only thinks about its own benefit, as it is evident in the case of Kerry-Lugar bill that was approved but putting a lot of conditions for Pakistan. But on the other hand, when they take relaxations, they take without any condition. An official of the Ministry of Petroleum said that it was the duty of the Government to find a way to abolish this inequality, as the laws must be the same for every one. He insisted that the Government must put tax on the oil for NATO forces or it should give relaxation to the public also.

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