CBR: Synonymous with mismanagement
By Dr. Ikramul Haq Dr. Ikramul Haq, a leading international tax counsel, is a well-known author specialising in international tax, press, intellectual property, corporate and constitutional law. Dr. Ikram is Chief Partner of Lahore Law Associates (fax: +92 42 7226953,…
Voice against economic subjugation
Dr. Ikramul Haq[1] Pakistan, caught in a deadly debt trap, is struggling hard to get rid of external loans of 35 billion US$. There is no hope to come out of this crisis or to stop looking towards IMF, World…
Ailing economy & regressive taxes
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In their respective budgets, the federal and provincial governments, by just enhancing the existing tax rates and imposing new regressive taxes have confirmed that they lack visions to fix the ailing economy where trade…
Budget of, by, for elites
Dr. Ikramul Haq It is not surprising that every budget of Pakistan, the latest one announced for fiscal year 2019-20 on June 11, 2019, has one common feature: burdening the common people, appeasing the mighty, extending benefits to the rich…
To be happy, or content?
Huzaima Bukhari When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, ‘Oh yes – I already have everything that I really need’—Dalai Lama…
Budget 2019-20: loaded with heavy taxes
Dr. Ikramul Haq According to many experts, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, and his team, in the given circumstances, could not have any choice but to present yet another…
Budget with no innovation in taxation
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The first budget of coalition government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for fiscal year 2019-20, presented by the State Minister for Revenue on June 11, 2019 and prepared under the dictates of International Monetary Fund…
Of ritualistic budgets, meaningless debates
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) that was formed to provide socio-economic justice to all and work for social mobility of less-privileged, in its first budget for fiscal year 2019-20, proved to be an utter disappointment…
Raising Rs. 10 trillion!
Dr. Ikramul Haq The Prime Minister of Pakistan, in his brief address to nation on June 10, 2019—a day before the announcement of budget for fiscal year 2019-20—asked the rich and mighty to declare their hidden and/or benami assets at…