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Saturday December 21, 2024

'Gunnah Tax' on cigarettes faces criticism over name

Accumulated tax would be invested on the youth in terms of their human development as well as in education.

By Web Desk
December 05, 2018

With its decision to impose taxes on cigarettes , the government has simultaneously  drawn both commendations criticism.

While social media users commended the government for imposing the tax to discourage  the smoking,  they expressed  their dislike for the name a minister proposed for the tax.

Addressing the Annual Public Health Conference, Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Khan on Tuesday said  “We are sending a sin tax bill in the National Assembly in which taxes would be imposed on cigarettes and tobacco products.”

He went on to add the accAn other user took the name in lighter vein and wrote ""I have been committing this #Gunnah for a very long time now, please add a phrase of forgiveness in the bill, will you?

Accumulated tax would be invested on the youth in terms of their human development as well as in education.

A journalist  found the name weird and wrote and Twitter, "who gave the minister authority to  deciding what is a sin".

Another user found it funny demanded Finance Minister Assad Umar, "I have been committing this #Gunnah for a very long time now, please add a phrase of forgiveness in the bill, will you?

A TV anchor  said given the prevailing atmosphere in the  country, proposing such a name could create problems.