Shrinking return filers
Dr. Ikramul HaqTotal income tax returns filed till the many times extended date [December 17, 2018] for tax year 2018 were 1,483,020 as compared to 1,756,982 persons on Active Taxpayers’ List (ATL), as per website of Federal Board of Revenue…
Benazir Bhutto: victim of ‘New Great Game’ #2
December 27, 2018 marks the eleventh death anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the great visionary leader, who resisted with great courage the agenda of neo-colonial forces of pushing Pakistan to a theocratic State incapable of progressing towards an egalitarian…
Overcoming fragmented taxation
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr Ikramul Haq & Dr Muhammad Babar ChohanFiscally, Pakistan is a highly undisciplined country. The main reason is scattered taxation by multiple agencies working under federal, provincial and local governments without necessary coordination and data sharing. As a…
Reviewing Pak-China Trade Relations
OrReviewing CPEC: What is wrong? Pakistan and China has a proud history of diplomatic and strategic relationship but when it comes to trade relations there is much to be desired and achieved. The two major trade initiatives between the neighbors are…
A tax for the poor that rich never paid
Dr. Ikramul HaqThe fiscal woes of Pakistan are due to naked defiance of the rich to pay due taxes on their enormous incomes/wealth. A progressive tax (Income Support Levy), legislated in 2013, remains unpaid till today by 99% parliamentarians and…
World of anomalies
Huzaima Bukhari“The world is a strange place where those that lack modesty are considered beautiful. Cheats are considered clever and the loyal are considered fools”— Hazrat Imam Ali Abul Hassan (Alaihissalam).Certain qualities are generally considered most desirable in human beings….
Law of binding precedents
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqINTRODUCTIONIn view of the hierarchical character of the judicial system in Pakistan, it is of paramount importance that the law declared by courts should be certain, clear and consistent. Inconsistencies create distrust in the administration…
Productive tax reforms
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqAll efforts in the name of tax reforms undertaken in Pakistan till today have miserably failed. These were nothing but mere patchworks here and there. Restructuring and redesigning of tax system has not been given…
Political economy of tax exclusions
Dr. Ikramul HaqThe tax codes of Pakistan at the federal level—Sales Tax Act, 1990, Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, Customs Act, 1969 and Federal Excise Act, 2005—contain numerous exemptions and concessions, majority of these were added, modified or withdrawn through executive…