Economic cost of political shenanigans
Abdul Rauf Shakoori & Dr. Ikramul Haq Governments around the world take responsibility of providing enabling environment where individuals, institutions, and businesses can flourish and explore various avenues to prosper. Among many other things, this includes providing food and shelter,…
Budgets beyond balance!
Huzaima Bukhari “The budget doesn’t have much control over the government. Then again, the government doesn’t have much control over the budget”—P.J. O’Rourke Every year around the months of May and June, the government in Pakistan is confronted with perhaps…
The new government and budget for 2023
Abdul Rauf Shakoori & Dr. Ikramul Haq The present coalition government, led by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), is charged with uphill task of preparing one the most difficult and critical financial budget for the next fiscal year. Pakistan will be…
The myth of equity
Huzaima Bukhari “Don’t expect to pull up the weak by pulling down the strong”—Calvin Coolidge A just society is the dream of every human being who lives on this planet although such terms as equality, equity and fairness are interpreted…
Illicit cigarettes trade: health & tax issues
Dr. Ikramul Haq “Only two [tobacco] companies pay 98 percent of total tax [tobacco collection]. The remaining 40% companies pay meagre 2% tax”—Prime Minister, Imran Khan “Cigarette manufacturers across the country are evading millions of rupees in taxes through fraudulent…
Budget 2020
Illicit tobacco trade-II Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq “….19.1 percent of Pakistani population, which includes 31.8 percent of men and 5.8 percent of women, consume tobacco in one form or the other. Among these tobacco consumers, 9.6 percent of…
Budget 2020
Illicit trade in tobacco products-I Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq Illicit trade in tobacco products (ITTP) is a global occurrence, affecting all regions and countries. It holds an allure for criminals to engage in it as tobacco products are…
Tax Reforms Agenda for Self-Sustainability
Dr. Ikramul Haq There is a general consensus that Pakistan needs full throttled reforms in all areas of governance and institutions if it has to achieve high, equitable and sustainable growth of seven percent and above assuring prosperity for all…
Pakistan & FATF mandate
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released the Report on the State of Effectiveness and Compliance with the FATF Standards in April 2022. This report contains a comprehensive overview of the…