TAX FILING: The newly introduced Tax Asaan application of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will likely make the task of filing income tax returns a complicated one. Given the low level of computer literacy in the country, very few people would be able to understand the app and access the portal. Besides, overseas Pakistanis not using Pakistani cellular connections would find it impossible to do so. It is not understandable how the tax consultants will handle hundreds of returns of their clients as the simple system of accessing through user name and password has been done away with. The FBR should revert to the old system if it intends to increase the number of filers.
Saleem Adil
Karachi
MISMANAGED CONCERT: I attended the Independence Day concert held in Hyderabad recently, and was deeply disappointed by the arrangements. The venue was overcrowded, and nobody seemed to have any real control over the audience. I personally witnessed girls being harassed by groups of boys. Such incidents not only ruined the spirit of the occasion, but also created a threatening environment for the attending families. Public events, especially those marking our independence, should be safe and welcoming for everyone. The authorities should plan better and ensure proper security at such events.
Muhammad Farhan
Hyderabad
A COSTLY BIRTHDAY GIFT: The recent birthday wish to the president of Pakistan in the shape of newspaper ad-vertisements placed by the Sindh govern-ment was worth millions of rupees, making it one of the costliest birthday gifts from anybody to anyone anywhere. What was the purpose of such advertisements except personal publicity, sycophancy and negative publicity? Taxpayers do not like their money to be wasted like this. However, one needs some level of moral sensitivity, political astuteness and thoughtfulness to realise this. A birthday wish is a personal matter, and a private communication is most appropriate.
Khayyam Durrani
Karachi
Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2025