Huzaima Bukhari & Dr Ikramul Haq “The central government’s debt increased at a double-digit pace to Rs. 32.1 trillion by the end of November [2019], an addition of a whopping Rs. 5.7 trillion in just one year, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government failed to adequately enhance revenues to meet expenditures”—Shahbaz Rana, Public debt rises...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq There is a growing concern among admirers/supporters of Prime Minister Imran Khan that despite tall claims, core reforms promised for making Pakistan a prosperous State have not been undertaken/delayed/deferred/abandoned. It is tragic that our leaders have little regard for what they promise to do before being elected, and voters conveniently ignore once...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves”—Carl Jung. A good friend raised a thought-provoking question which is: “Why is it that the Pakistani community, despite having the Holy Quran as its guide and the person of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as an example, is by and...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Suo Motu Case No. 2 of 2018 re ‘Maintaining of Foreign Accounts by Pakistani Citizens Without Disclosing the Same/Paying Taxes’, is still pending for adjudication. It started on February 1, 2018 and after many hearings, appointing of committees and seeking assistance from a...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq “Total debt servicing increased by around 57 percent during FY 2018-19 compared with last fiscal year which was driven by higher domestic interest payments (on account of rise in domestic interest rates) while external debt repayments increased significantly and recorded at Rs 974 billion during FY 2018-19 compared with Rs 450 billion...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “The virtue of justice consists of moderation as regulated by wisdom”—Aristotle. One must acknowledge the reality that those who are connected with imparting justice are highly respectable human beings. They not only serve humanity by setting the wrongs to right but also take upon their shoulders the heavy responsibility of making sure that...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr Ikramul Haq Total debt servicing increased by around 57 percent during FY 2018-19 compared with last fiscal year6 which was driven by higher domestic interest payments (on account of rise in domestic interest rates) while external debt repayments increased significantly and recorded at Rs 974 billion during FY 2018-19 compared with...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq No government in Pakistan, including the present one, ever thought of establishing knowledge-based research platforms for all sectors that need reforms. For example, not a single study is available outlining step-wise tax reforms or promoting tourism. The word “reforms” is a cliché unless backed by a solid research, executable...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq Punjab is the most populous [110 million people] province of Pakistan with largest resources and budget size after the Federal Government, and beneficiary of lion’s share [this year estimate is Rs. 1.6 trillion] from National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. For the last many years, the performance of this province in tax collection...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “Education is like the pooja ghar (place of worship) for us. We are never going to become a for-profit player in education. It will be akin to selling the pooja ghar”—Anand Mahindra. A people-friendly government of any sane country will make best efforts to first improve the quality of its denizens—human resource. A...Read More