Slavery & the Western World
Huzaima Bukhari“There’s this sense that whiteness is the default and does not need to be questioned. That you’ve got a race if you’re black, or any kind of Asian, or any kind of Native American, but that you have no…
Pakistan & IMF bailouts
Dr. Ikramul HaqSince Ayub’s era our rulers have developed addiction for intakes of foreign loans, especially International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts—many call it death-blows. With every loan comes a host of conditions—ostensibly meant for economic revival and reforms by every…
Justice-Government & Revenue authorities
Huzaima Bukhari“Administration of justice, is the principle of order in political society”—AristotlePakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) came to power after a strenuous struggle in which the paramount slogan was ‘dispensation of justice’ (the basis for name of the party) but on eventually…
Our curious taxing paradox!
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqAfter about relief of 10 months, at least 95 million unique mobile users [as per website of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), total cellular subscribers as on March 31, 2019 were 159 million, but many have…
Budget 2019-20 & tax reforms
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqBudget 2019-20, expected to be announced in the last week of this month, will be very important for the coalition government of Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf (PTI). It will determine the direction of economy in the wake…
Friend, companion of the soul
Huzaima Bukhari“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself”—Jim Morrison, American singer and song writer All living beings need a soul mate. Yes, besides humans, even animals and plants require some form of companionship that enables…
Fix the fragmented tax system
Dr. Ikramul HaqPakistan needs a paradigm shift in the existing tax policy and revamping of entire tax administration—establishment of a National Tax Authority [NTA], capable of generating sufficient resources for the federal and provincial governments, must be the top priority….
Myth & reality of tax ‘payers’ & ‘filers’
Dr. Ikramul HaqThe prevailing myth, popular with TV anchors, donors and tax bureaucracy, that our tax base is narrow and only 1% of the population pays income tax is totally fallacious—this statement reiterated by the representative of Federal Board of…
Fiscal challenges before Hafeez Shaikh
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe reality behind annual growth of 16-20% in revenue collection of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from 2013 to 2018 remains untold. The facts reveal that behind the “extraordinary” (claimed and acclaimed) revenue growth lies…