Struggle for gender equality
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori The significance of International Women’s Day , observed on 8th March of every year, resonates strongly within Pakistan, a country where the resilience and determination of women against injustices…
Tapping Real Tax Potential
Dr. Ikramul Haq Businesses also need a fiscal policy board independent of tax collection that aims to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio as an outcome of long-term policies that promote investment in priority sectors such as exports and…
Crypto Innovation, Regulatory Challenges
Abdul Rauf Shakoori Cryptocurrency has emerged as a transformative force in the global financial ecosystem. What started as an experimental form of digital money with Bitcoin has now evolved into a multi-trillion-dollar industry, encompassing decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and…
Striving for cashless economy
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori The global financial ecosystem is undergoing metamorphosis, with digital payment systems emerging as the cornerstone of economic efficiency, transparency, and growth. Yet, in many developing economies, cash remains the dominant…
Optimistic economic outlook
On Women’s Day
IMF, Taxes & Pakistan
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori Pakistan is preparing to undergo the first biannual review under the US$7 billion 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team arriving on March 3,…
Avant-Garde Budget Proposals—II Fixing Narrow & Punctured Tax Base
Dr. Ikramul Haq A difficult business environment, weak governance, and an outsized role of the state hinder investment, which remains very low compared to peers, while the tax base remains too narrow to ensure tax fairness, fiscal sustainability and…
IMF programme & Pakistan’s vulnerabilities
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori Pakistan’s economy has been perpetually struggling through recurrent turbulent phases, facing severe fiscal and external account challenges, exacerbated by outside shocks, weak governance, and inefficient financial management. The country has…