Critique of tax policy
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 should increase output…
PTI: forgotten promises
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqPeople of Pakistan in general and businessmen in particular are quite disillusioned with the performance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after seeing that prices of items of daily use (food, medicines, petrol, utilities) have skyrocketed in…
Reforms we need
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqIn Pakistan, ironically, the less-privileged are subjected to oppressive taxation to finance the luxuries of elites who enjoy extraordinary tax-free perks and perquisites, unprecedented benefits like expensive cars, golf clubs, rest houses and awards of…
PTI’s amnesty: another U-turn!
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 the tax…
Policies for growth & employment
Dr. Ikramul HaqThe main focus of a rational tax policy should be on incentivising investment and productivity, encouraging savings and facilitating capital formation in the private sector for job creations, innovations and rapid economic development. Our policymakers have miserably failed…
On being alone or lonely
Huzaima Bukhari“If you are lonely when you’re alone, you are in bad company”— Jean Paul Sartre We come to this world alone and are left alone after we pass away but throughout the period in between we yearn for the company…
Banking secrecy v benami law
Dr. Ikramul HaqThe Finance Minister of Pakistan, while addressing a gathering of State Bank of Pakistan on April 1, 2019, asked banks to share data with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for effective implementation of Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2017. The…
Hats off to Jacinda Ardern!
Huzaima Bukhari“What the statesman is most anxious to produce is a certain moral character in his fellow citizens, namely a disposition to virtue and the performance of virtuous actions”—AristotleOn 11 September 2001, New York was jolted by attacks on the…