COMPLIANCE with tax laws is one of the most reliable yardsticks of the level of civility and patriotism of a nation.

There is growing consciousness that tax revenue generated from our own resources is the most sustainable and respectable solution to our financial problems.

There have been appreciable efforts for the last few years but the result is much less than the expected level.

In general, there are three important factors which make the basis of the strategy towards the achievement of goals. Incidentally, all three begin with the alphabet ‘E’, that is education (tax education), encouragement and enforcement, preferably in this order.

Of course, these three ‘Es’ apply to taxpayers, tax collectors and to some extent to tax advisers. Detailed steps can always be chalked out under these basic principles. In fact, quite a few of them are already under way.

This is the need of the day and it should be taken by every patriot Pakistani in the right spirit. There is a lot of potential for generation of tax revenue and it is the national duty of everyone -- be it a taxpayer, a tax collector or a tax adviser or those who are out of the tax net -- to rise to the occasion.

If the country prospers, everyone will prosper.

DR MANZOOR AHMED MEMON Karachi