KARACHI: Syed Tariq Shah central Chairman of All Private Schools Management Association Sindh rejected 15 percent Sindh Sales Tax imposed on services of schools, colleges, universities, coaching centres and technical training institutions, including hospitals. 

He said that taxes imposed under anti-education policy in upcoming fiscal year’s budget will further increase difficulties for parents, so government should immediately reconsider recommendations. He emphasised that providing education and health facilities to public is state’s responsibility. Imposing various taxes will further reduce literacy rate, while already 26 million children are out of school due to inflation. He said that government must implement an educational emergency in the country and formulate education-friendly policies to attract more children towards education.  He pointed out that no society can develop without education, so special attention needs to be given to education sector because these children are our future. 

He said that receiving education is every child’s fundamental right and due to inflation, child labour is rapidly increasing, which is matter of concern for government. Tariq Shah urged government to support private sector in spreading education because if serious steps are not taken for education, there is risk of an educational crisis in country, preventing Pakistan from being counted among developed nations.