State, elitism & poverty alleviation Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq “The State shall ensure the elimination of all forms of exploitation and the gradual fulfilment of the fundamental principle, from each according to his ability to each according to his work”—Article 3, 1973 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan “Man is born free, and...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In response to our article [Unconstitutional taxation by provinces, Business Recorder, January 3, 2020], a letter was published on January 9, 2020 titled ‘Unconstitutional’ taxation by provinces: SRB’s response’that raised some questions and made a few observations that need clarification, elaboration and further debate on vital constitutional provisions involved....Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq It is unfortunate that contrary to all tall claims of getting rid of loans, especially the costly ones, the coalition Government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in pursuit of ‘hot money’ from foreign entities is not only increasing the quantum of already monstrous debt and its servicing, but also causing loss to national...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “For thousands of years, until about 1850, you see humans accumulating more and more power by the invention of new technologies and by new systems of organization in the economy and in politics, but you don’t see any real improvement in the well-being of the average person”—Yuval Noah Harari, historian and professor. A...Read More

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 to Rs. 32.1tr...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “Inna akramakum inda-Allahi anqakum (Verily the most honourable among you with Allah is that believer who is pious).”―Al Quran, Al Hujaraat (49:13) A few days back, a dear friend expressed anxiety over a very serious issue—deciding on the most suitable life partner for daughters and sisters—confronted by many families in general but the...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “We are now living in a post–Roosevelt, post-Reagan universe. What comes next will not be post-partisan, because faction is an intrinsic human impulse”―Jon Meacham (writers, reviewer and presidential biographer) A cursory glance around the globe would reveal some very interesting developments. With technology in full swing, the world has shrunk in the palms...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In the wake of Panama Papers: Politicians, Criminal & Rogue Industry That Hide Their Cash, issued by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), heated debatesstarted in ever country for disclosures of information relating to matters falling in the category of public importance. In Pakistan people are disillusioned, as usual,...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq In the wake of Panama Papers: Politicians, Criminal & Rogue Industry That Hide Their Cash, heated debatesat homes and abroad are going on and will continue for many days, if not months. In Pakistan people are disillusioned, as usual, that nothing will happen as the beneficiaries of stolen and untaxed wealth are...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq The myth that technocrats can run government affairs better than bureaucrats is busted at least in Pakistan in recent months by Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. Firstly on November 11, 2019 he misquoted price of tomatoes and then on January 1, 2019...Read More