Divorce—blessing or curse?
Huzaima Bukhari“The most hateful of all lawful matters to Allah is divorce” ―Hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud 2172Every human being has the right to live a happy and fulfilling life, in which he is able to realize his dreams so…
PTI’s flawed tax reforms agenda
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqPrime Minister Imran Khan’s address to the top officials of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on November 13, 2019 showed that his three-year-long tax reforms plan, approved on October 3, 2019, lacks proper homework, pragmatic…
Amnesties & tax losses
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqPakistan is a unique country where the governments—military and civilian alike—have been frequently introducing amnesty schemes allowing whitening of untaxed/undeclared assets. Historically, both the Legislature and Executive have always shown keenness in appeasing tax evaders…
Debate over new tax agency
Dr. Ikramul HaqPrime Minister Imran Khan on October 3, 2019 approved an ambitious three-year plan to conduct nationwide surveys for tax assessment, evaluating wealth parked in real estate and implementing a new value added tax system and “setting up the…
Tax plans san debate!
Dr. Ikramul HaqAccording to a Press report, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Shabbar Zaidi, has shown flexibility over establishment of Pakistan Revenue Authority (PRA) after strong resistance from the personnel he is presently heading. He ensured them that the…
Constitution—persistent violations!
Huzaima Bukhari“When laws do not rule, there is no constitution”—Aristotle in The Politics.There is always a tendency to follow precedents. This means that once an example has been set, the subsequent response is to continue walking on the path set…
Imran’s long-term tax plan
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqFiscal consolidation should be as growth-friendly as possible. In general, tax base-broadening reforms are identified as growth-oriented reforms. To the extent that they reduce distortions to economic decisions on work, saving, investment and consumption, they…
FBR’s unconstitutional sales tax on restaurants
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe imposition of 7.5% sales tax on restaurants through Finance Act 2019 by the National Assembly, energetically defended by the Chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), is patently unconstitutional being in violation of Article…
Pakistan’s fiscal dilemma
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its ‘Annual Report 2018-19—The State of Pakistan’s Economy’ has strongly criticised the provinces for what it called “lack of institutional capacity” giving rise to “lower revenue collection that…