Lahore, November 27, 2018: Chanan Development Association (CDA)’ a national youth-led organization, in collaboration with Oxfam in Pakistan organized National Tax Justice Youth Film Festival 2018in Lahore with 500 young people from across Pakistan under the theme “Reward Work – Not Wealth”.
During the day long event, 19 short films and documentaries of young students were screened while Mr. Jawad Ahmed, renowned singer launched his new song “YeTera Na MeraHai” on the theme of reducing extreme inequalities.
A number of parliamentarians including Dr. Yasmin Rashid (Health Minister Punjab), Ms. Shaista Pervez Malik (MNA-PMLN), Ms. Uzma Kardar (MPA – PTI), Ms. Sania Aashiq (MPA – PMLN) and Ms. Bushra Butt (MPA – PMLN) addressed the young audience while experts andyouth activists from different walks of life highlighted multiple aspects of extreme inequalities that exists in our society and way forward to reduce it during “Fight Inequality Talks”.
Mr. Muhammad Shahzad Khan, Executive Director – CDA in his opening remarks stated that Fight Inequality Youth Alliance is advancing the debate of inequality in entire country and stand up for fairer future which leverage from education, employment and engagement in the policy level.
Mr. Adeel Qaiser, Program Director – Oxfam acknowledged the enthusiasm of youth to reduce extreme inequalities by having a free-education till post graduate level. “Pro-poor tax laws and legislation along with a fair tax system can only lead to better Pakistan. It is the duty of every citizen of Pakistan to pay their fair share of tax; as it is the duty of the Government of Pakistan to make sure that the tax rupees collected is spent in a way that benefits the poor”, he added.
Provincial Minister of health Dr. Yasmeen Rashid in her address congratulated CDA for organizing this festival. She endorsed even it up campaign by saying that universal health coverage is the way forward to reduce health inequalities in Pakistan. While counting on her performance within first 100 days of her government in office, she mentioned that the new government has increased the health financing to 300 billion in Punjab and has initiated 5 hospitals in south Punjab, i.e. Mianwali, Attock, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Layyah.
Mr. Mustafa Talpur, regional lead of Inequality campaign in Asia stated in his remarks that the gap between rich and poor is hitting badly in south Asia and taxation system is not serving the purpose while the fundamental rights are privatized which worsen the situation.
Mr. Asim Jaffry, Manager Finance for Development program highlighted that it is upto the citizens to decide to become a consumer or citizen. For citizens, they have to pay a fairer share of taxes and demand the fundamental rights from the state.