Wither Imran’s reforms agenda?
Dr. Ikramul HaqThere 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…
One’s self—an objective view
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…
Retrieving untaxed/ill-gotten assets
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqIn 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…
Overcoming fiscal mess
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…
Justice—one-sided
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…
Dealing with “debtocracy”
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr Ikramul HaqTotal 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…
Reforms sans research
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqNo 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…
Punjab: low tax collection
Dr. Ikramul HaqPunjab 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)…
Education—for sale?
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…