Demise of second consecutive NFC
Dr. Ikramul HaqAccording to a Press report, the 9th National Finance Commission (NFC) “died its natural death …after the Centre and four provinces could not reach consensus on a new award for distribution of fiscal resources during the five-year constitutional…
Without being commanded?
Huzaima Bukhari“I have gained from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the laws”—AristotleWhile driving in Lahore Pakistan, you stop at a red traffic light because that is the law but you notice…
Covid-19, the poor & tax extortion
Dr Ikramul HaqIn the most difficult times arising out of Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, all over the world the governments are going for relief packages and tax incentives to mitigate the financial toll faced by all, especially the poor and…
Through Iqbal’s eyes!
Huzaima Bukhari“Unbeliever is he who follows predestination even if he be Muslim. Faithful is he, if he himself is the Divine Destiny”—Allama Muhammad IqbalSialkot in the province of Punjab in Pakistan is an industrial city that is famous for manufacturing…
Covid-19: economic impact measures
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, in a Press conference on April 3, 2020, thinly attended by journalists (after the bitter experience of March 24, 2020 of critical questioning on many issues rather than…
Simplest & meaningful tax-bailout
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqAs mentioned in the last column [Tax bailout for economic revival, Business Recorder, April 17, 2020], all businesses—badly hit by lockdown in the wake of Covid-19 epidemic and due to sluggish economic activities, high utility…
Intentions vs. reality
Huzaima Bukhari“Good intentions and grand theories do not make a good programme. Programmes work best when they’re based on a detailed understanding of the problem and how they are implemented on the ground”—Abhijeet BanerjeeEvery day we come across someone telling…
Tax bailout for economic revival
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqAccording to various Press reports, all businesses in Pakistan, as elsewhere, badly hit by lockdown in the wake of Covid-19 epidemic, are demanding a comprehensive tax bailout claiming that loan facility announced by State Bank…
Corona-toll, negative taxation & charity
Dr. Ikramul HaqMuch before Covid-19 outbreak, the widening income and wealth disparities were highlighted in these columns with solutions to bridge the growing rich-poor divide, but no government paid any heed. During the rule of General Pervez Musharraf [October 12,…