This letter refers to the editorial ‘Make less, pay more’ (February 13, 2026), which powerfully highlights the growing burden placed on Pakistan’s salaried class. The edit rightly captures the painful paradox faced by ordinary taxpayers contributing the largest share of revenue while receiving limited relief in public services or economic security. The analysis draws attention to an uncomfortable reality: salaried individuals, whose incomes remain largely stagnant amid rising inflation and uncertainty, continue to shoulder a disproportionately high tax burden compared to other sectors. This imbalance not only strains household finances but also risks undermining public trust in the fairness of the taxation system.
I wish to respectfully appeal to the government to address this grave issue by broadening the tax base, ensuring equitable contribution across sectors and, most importantly, visibly translating tax revenues into improved public services such as transport, healthcare, education and urban infrastructure. Fair taxation must be accompanied by tangible public benefit if social cohesion and economic confidence are to be sustained.
Muhammad Asif Amin
Islamabad
