Rationalizing fiscal federalism
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori The persistent underperformance of Pakistan’s tax machinery highlights a deeper structural dysfunction that transcends mere numerical deficits. The entrenched culture of reactive fiscal management, excessive dependence on indirect taxation, and…
Property Taxation: Need For Reforms
Dr. Ikramul Haq It would, however, be misleading to attribute the poor performance of the property tax system principally to the behaviour of tax collection staff. There is considerable evidence that the low-level equilibrium that we…
Federalized tax reform strategy
Critique of Virtual Assets Ordinance, 2025
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori The evolution of cryptocurrency regulation in Pakistan reflects a complex interplay of global influence, domestic resistance, and policy pause. The initial opposition from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in…
“Agricultural Income” Tax: Pakistan’s Achilles Heel
Dr Ikramul Haq “Taxing agriculture is a core component of the International Monetary Fund’s new program for Pakistan and is critical to its success. If the commitment is not followed, the program’s success will be at risk”—Nathan…
Budget & Ashrafiya
Dr. Ikramul Haq Pakistan is controlled and ruled by ashrafiya (elites)—comprising indomitable military brass, top civil bureaucracy, higher judiciary, landed upper crust and their cronies in politics, industrialist-turned politicians, religious and so-called spiritual leaders (sic), media tycoons…
Appraisal of provincial budgets
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori Provincial budgets for Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the fiscal year (FY) 2025–26 reflect a precarious balancing act between growth ambitions and fiscal realism, raising critical…
“Agricultural Income” Tax: Pakistan’s Achilles Heel
Dr Ikramul Haq “Taxing agriculture is a core component of the International Monetary Fund’s new program for Pakistan and is critical to its success. If the commitment is not followed, the program’s success will be at risk”—Nathan Porter, the…
Broader analysis of Finance Act, 2025
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori The National Assembly of Pakistan on June 27, 2025 approved the Rs.17.6 trillion worth budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, along with Rs. 463 billion new taxes, emphasizing to bring…