Jamaat-e-Islami Vice Chief, Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad on Tuesday expressed profound concerns on the alleged lobbying by US Ambassador Cameron Munter for levying the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST), which he termed, as imposition of American agenda on Pakistan.
Talking to a group of reporters, he particularly referred to the recent visit of the US Ambassador to Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) headquarters and his statement that "if RGST is not enforced it would be a blow to the international community's efforts made to bolster Pakistan economy" and that "enforcement of RGST is the key-condition of the IMF" are direct interventions in Pakistan's affairs.
"The game of imposing US agenda on Pakistan is outrageous and totally unacceptable", said Professor Khurshid, adding that there was no value added tax (VAT) in the US, but is being thrust upon Pakistan when a majority of the political parties and business stakeholders are against its imposition.
He said that the US congress has not adopted VAT because its impact on the lower income groups, according to a congressional study if it imposed it would be forty times higher than that of direct tax. Referring to the WikiLeaks revelations, he said that the disturbing aspect was that the documents do not seem to have any affect on the behavior of the US diplomat and Pakistani politicians. "How humiliating it is that the US Ambassador is behaving like a viceroy and the country's political leadership is behaving like their clients and subjects", he maintained.
Khurshid stressed the need for reviewing the relations of Pakistan with the US, adding that our political leadership must follow the protocols of diplomatic behavior and conduct in letter and in spirit. "The game of manipulation and interference in our affairs and violation of our sovereignty and independence must be stopped", he demanded.
He further mentioned that Pakistan's image has been distorted by its own leadership and the role that they have been playing in furthering the US interests in Pakistan. The JI leader called for a complete review of the policy, saying if we want to protect our independence and sovereignty a total review of the policy as well as the modus operandi of political relationship is a must. He also urged the Parliament and the people of Pakistan to come forward and not act as passive spectators of the 'drama' of Pakistan's continuous humiliation and subjugation.
Meanwhile, the JI Senators Professor Khurshid, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim and Afia Zia submitted two different adjournment motions to the Senate Secretariat. The first adjournment motion was against the twin suicide attacks in Mohmand Agency's headquarters, Ghalanai outside office of the Political Agent.
The second motion was against the murder of Ali Ayaz Fakhri, son of the renowned TV artiste, Jamil Fakhri. The JI has expressed profound concerns over the two incidents and sought that the House should discuss these issues in its next session by suspending the routine agenda.
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