Cut the waste

This letter refers to the article ‘Taxing the untaxed’ (Business, August 2, 2024) by Mansoor Ahmad. As per the article, the finance minister has said “that the only way out of the current economic mess is to tax the untaxed”. I beg to differ with him. No matter how much tax revenue is collected, the money will be wasted on the perks and privileges of elected representatives and bureaucrats, the losses of public-sector enterprises, and the implementation of unproductive projects like the distribution of electric bikes etc. The economic mess will only be prolonged.

The right way to get out of the current economic mess is to cut down all wasteful government expenditure including provision of free utilities, vehicles and other perks, so-called development works based on grants to elected representatives, and bloated ministries and departments. We must also follow a ‘made in Pakistan’ policy of using goods and services produced in Pakistan. These measures will eliminate the twin deficits and the need for an IMF bailout and other foreign assistance.

Abdul Majeed

Islamabad