By. Muhammad Irfan Siddiqui
Islamabad Tea Company owner and well-known Pakistani businessman Muhammad Afsar Khan has stressed the need to accord greater respect, dignity, and institutional protection to tax-paying citizens, particularly those who contribute heavily to the national exchequer, saying they are the real pillars of Pakistan’s economy.
Talking to media, Muhammad Afsar Khan said that individuals and businesses who pay large amounts of tax play a decisive role in keeping the country’s economic wheel moving. They not only contribute billions of rupees in taxes every year but also generate employment, support industries, and become a source of sustainable development. Despite this, he regretted, taxpayers in Pakistan are often subjected to humiliation rather than appreciation.
He said it was alarming that respectable taxpayers are frequently mistreated by lower-level officials. “A small government officer, a police official at a checkpoint, or routine bureaucratic procedures can insult a person who contributes enormously to the economy. Unfortunately, there is no effective mechanism to safeguard the dignity of such citizens,” he observed.
Muhammad Afsar Khan pointed out that this environment discourages honest tax compliance and pushes people away from the formal economy. According to him, fear-based enforcement has failed to broaden the tax base, whereas respect and recognition can produce long-term results.
Highlighting the need for reform, he proposed a formal system to recognize high taxpayers. Under his suggestion, individuals paying more than one billion rupees annually in taxes should be granted a special national status. This could include special vehicle number plates, a distinguished passport category, and official recognition that reflects their contribution to the country.
He further suggested that such taxpayers should be facilitated to meet the President or Prime Minister as a mark of appreciation from the state. “This is not about privilege, but about acknowledgment. When the state openly recognizes its top contributors, society also learns to respect them,” he said.
Muhammad Afsar Khan maintained that visible respect for taxpayers would help change public attitudes toward taxation. When people see that honest taxpayers are honored and protected, more citizens will willingly enter the tax net. This, he said, would strengthen national revenue, reduce dependence on indirect taxes, and promote economic stability.
He added that Pakistan already has a tradition of conferring national awards on individuals for services in various fields. “Those who contribute billions to the national economy also deserve recognition and special awards. This will send a strong message that the state values economic contribution as much as any other service,” he remarked.
Concluding his views, Muhammad Afsar Khan said that restoring the dignity of taxpayers is essential for Pakistan’s progress. “A respected taxpayer is a confident taxpayer. If Pakistan wants growth, employment, and economic stability, it must stand with those who finance the state,” he said.
His remarks have sparked fresh discussion in business and policy circles about improving Pakistan’s tax culture and building a more respectful and trust-based relationship between the state and its taxpayers.
