Overcoming debt enslavement
Huzaima Bukhari & 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…
Wither Imran’s reforms agenda?
Dr. Ikramul Haq There 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…
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…
Retrieving untaxed/ill-gotten assets
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In 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…
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…
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…
Dealing with “debtocracy”
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr Ikramul Haq Total 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…
Reforms sans research
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq No 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…
Punjab: low tax collection
Dr. Ikramul Haq Punjab 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…