Unconstitutional “agricultural income” taxation
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq“I think the landowners’ lobby is powerful in the assembly and they might not allow downward revision of non-taxable income. Instead of filing Agricultural Income Tax returns with the provincial governments, the same should be…
Power vis-à-vis character
Huzaima Bukhari“Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power”–George Bernard ShawWhat is exactly meant by corruption? Transparency International provides a very simple definition: “We define corruption as the abuse of entrusted…
Budget, jobs, taxes & growth
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq“The Laffer Curve, by the way, was not invented by me; it has its origins way back in time. For example, the Muslim philosopher Ibn Khaldun wrote in his fourteenth-century work The Muqaddimah: It should…
Tax proposals for Budget 2021
Growth, broad base & low-rate taxesHuzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Syed Muhammad Ijaz“A comprehensive strategy had been formulated to shift the gear and move to higher economic growth. I do not believe in increase in taxes to increase revenue collection…
Budgets of, by & for elites
Dr. Ikramul HaqLike every budget of Pakistan since decades, the latest one, expected on June 11, 2021, will be no different and having the same features: burdening the common people, appeasing the mighty, not withdrawing benefits available to the rich…
Budget, tax targets & IMF
Dr. Ikramul HaqBudget for fiscal year 2021-22 is in the making amidst difficult times when the all sectors of economy need tax incentives for survival in the wake of Covid-19 endemic, especially after the third and deadly wave that is…
Budget FY 2022
Taxes, inflation & social welfareHuzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has achieved a historic milestone of collecting taxes of Rs. 4.17 trillion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, for which its…
Legislation and governments
Huzaima Bukhari“Laws are spider webs through which the big flies pass and the little ones get caught”–Honore de BalzacThe interesting thing about legislation in a country is that those who understand its significance are the ones who are actually observing…
Budget, taxes & development
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq“About 60% of the population falls in the “transitory poor” category (Bukhari and Haq, 2019) it means a substantial population has no access to luxurious items; their needs revolve around basic necessities. The rules for…