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Lahore Walton Cantonment Property
Tax rise
I am a retired salaried citizen in the mid 70s, who paid taxes all his life, now living on a meagre pension from a semi-autonomous corporation, residing in a 500 square yards house in Z Block DHA Lahore Phase 3 since 1996. All over the world senior citizens, especially tax payers and tax filers, are provided welfare by the state, not burdened, when they age to mid70s and medical issues curtail capability to earn.
Pension given by semi-autonomous entities is not enough to make both ends meet, unlike those working in the government, both civil and uniformed, and is a fraction paid to them. It is expected of residential housing societies created for the welfare of a few, not to become party burdening others. The DC Rate has been raised by 20% by DHA Phase 3 Lahore, while the Property Tax raised by almost 400%. There should be some correlation to property tax levied in other parts of Lahore.
What is disturbing, is the callous attitude of WCB and DHA, where land belonging to Punjab Government has been converted to residential housing societies for welfare of those working in uniformed services. Those who were beneficiaries of these subsidized allotments sold their plots to civilians, who form majority of residents. In 2020 and 2021, I paid Rs 18,386 as Property Tax and Conservancy Charges of Rs.7,200, which came to a total of Rs25,586 per annum.
In 2022, WCB has unilaterally increased the Property Tax by 4.85 times to Rs 89, 217, which translates to an increase of 385.2% while the Conservancy Charge has been raised by 66.67% to Rs12000 with a grand total of Rs 101,217, an increase of 3.96 times or 295.6%. If the State has obligation to cater for welfare of its paid employees, it also has an obligation to those whose taxes fund the salaries and the federal budget, on which national security hinges.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
Mourning for Muslims
MUHARRAM is one of the most significant and sacred festivals for Muslims all over the world, as it marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The tenth day of Muharram, called the day of Ashura, is of most significance for different Muslim factions for various reasons.
On the day of Muharram, Muslims all over the world set up langars where water and fruit juices are served free to all, no matter what caste or community the people belong to. The month of Muharram is observed with extreme grief and mourning due to the battle of Karbala that took place during this month. During the Battle of Karbala, the Last Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson, Imam Hussain, was martyred mercilessly and this is the reason that Muharram is related to grief, mourning, sadness and is critical to Muslims all over the world.
The month of Muharram also has a great importance among the followers of Islam. The month comes with deep grief, despair, and melancholy in Muslims who cry and wail on the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the son of Hazrat Ali in the Battle of Karbala. During the battle, Imam Hussain was mercilessly beheaded by the forces of Umayyad Caliph Yazid I. The event took place in the 690 CE and has been since then observed among Muslims every year as ‘Muharram,’ meaning prohibition.
During this entire month, Muslims abstain themselves from any kind of joyous events and celebrations, as a way to pay tribute and honour to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. During the first 10 days of Muharram, Muslims belonging to the Shia community wear black outfits and go for street processions as a way to mourn the death of their beloved Imam Hussain and the pain inflicted on his family members.
Muslims belonging to different communities observe Ashura in different ways, some keep fast, some observe abstinence and some participate in religious gatherings. In India, a glimpse of the Muharram procession can be seen on roads. The Shia devotees even cut their bodies and walk barefoot on fire. This act of self-harming is very rigorous. Muslims consider it as an act of mourning.
Jubel D’Cruz
Mumbai, India
Destruction due to rains
It has been around a month since heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in several areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Most of areas in Balochistan stand totally destroyed. According to local reports, scores of people, including women and children have drowned in flood water. Districts like Turbat, Panjgur, Lasbela and Qalat have been hardly affected and families are suffering a lot from road blockages and damaged bridges.
Roads like RCD which connects Balochistan to Sindh, has been jammed and many passengers including patients had to wait and suffer until the roads are cleared and in the meantime many have lost their lives. Moreover, the people who have suffered more are exhausted people whose houses cannot stand for long and eventually fall. The impoverished people are now obliged to hide beneath trees and behind a protective roof to protect their children and food too.
As they already faced frailty in their food supply because of the heavy rains, they hardly manage for two-time meal and move on. Most of families and children are literally dying due to the non-availability of food. It is appealed to current government and all the active social welfare organizations to provide maximum assistance to those affected areas to save lives.
IQRA ALI JAN
Turbat
