PTI’s unconstitutional amnesties
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on the last day of 2020, without any legal instrument, issued a clarification that the last date of ‘Prime Minister’s Construction Package’ was extended. The Presidential Ordinance [The Income…
The helpless, the powerless!
Huzaima Bukhari“We all hit moments when we feel helpless. The test is how we react to that feeling. We can either learn from it and move forward or let it drag us down”―Travis BradberryMs. B is an educated lady, comes…
Tax codes: unconstitutional framing & delegation
Dr. Ikramul HaqEvery year before the preparation of annual federal budget, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) seeks proposals from officers, trade/professional bodies, tax bars, and other stakeholders—this has become a ritual. Each year, after this futile exercise, the Finance…
FBR: unconstitutional “legislator”
Dr. Ikramul HaqIn the last week’s column, it was promised that till February 15, 2021, deadline set by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), for seeking proposals from all stakeholders, some concrete measures will be suggested rather than “meaningless amendments…
Restructuring the tax system
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq“If we realise that the FBR cannot be fixed, we will create a new FBR. This is because Pakistan’s survival is linked to it. It’s not about our liking or disliking: if our tax collection…
FATF & Pakistan’s faulty action plan
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf ShakooriUnder the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Federal Board of Revenue is responsible for ensuring that designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) including real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, and…
Pakistan Tackling FATF
Challenges & SolutionsHuzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori“Since June 2018, when Pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Asia Pacific Group On Money Laundering (APG) to strengthen its…
Homage to Towering Personalities of Tribunal
Professionals & humanists par excellenceDr. Ikramul Haq“….the raison d’être of establishing special tribunals has been to dispense better quality of justice where people, better trained in particular fields and disciplines could provide quality decisions and resolution of disputes…. Appointing members…
Consumer protection scene in Pakistan
Huzaima BukhariIn Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) 562 (HL), a famous British case decided in the House of Lords, Lord Atkin established that ‘duty of care’ should be displayed by all those who were engaged in an activity that directly affected…