Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The process of accountability must start from those who judge and adjudge others. Any process of accountability that lacks confidence, transparency and consensus is bound to fail, even bounce back. For sustainable democracy, accountability of all—through an independent judiciary—is sine qua non. For independent judiciary, the judges must be...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq Provisions of Sections 161 & 162 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 could not have been invoked for recovery of tax, character of which changed from “advance tax” to “tax due” after assessment vide Section 169(3) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001—Commissioner of Inland Revenue  v PEPCO 2015  PTD  863 Another...Read More

“When laws do not rule, there is no constitution” Dr. Ikramul Haq All public power is a sacred trust, which is to be exercised fairly, justly, honestly and in accordance with law—Supreme Court of Pakistan in Workers’ Party Pakistan & Others v Federation of Pakistan & Others [PLD 2012 Supreme Court 681] The quote from...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The country during the last many days remained in the grip of severe despair and disillusionment. The sit-ins, demonstrations, political confrontations, killing of the innocent, denial of justice and economic vulnerabilities damaged the civilian rule substantially. The clash of interests between the ruling classes once again proved that the...Read More

If 18 February 2008 was an historical day in the history of Pakistan, the subsequent events have proven to be nothing more than a shameless consequence of imprudent and incompetent political leadership. The entire Parliament, lawfully elected by the people of this country is now rendered hostage in the hands of two stalwarts viz. Asif...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq The 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 rich Pakistanis.  The Federal Boar of Revenue (FBR) has failed to collect it from...Read More

National budget is one of the most important documents of a country. It is not merely a statement of income and expenditure; it is a mirror of the financial and economic state of an economy and authentic statement about the economic, financial and fiscal policies of the government. From Magna Carta until the emergence of...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq The House of Lords on November 6, 2002 passed a historic order in Standard Chartered Bank (respondents) v. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (appellants) and Standard chartered Bank (appellants) v. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and others and another (respondents) and others [2002] UKHL 43] involving Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank, London...Read More

Taxation – the means by which a civilised society performs the sometimes uncivil task of taking money from one group in order to give it to another – has been a part of life for a very long time. The ancient Greeks complained about it. Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem because of...Read More

By Hassan Aslam Shad and Dr. Ikram Ul Haq So how has China’s lawfare against corruption been successful despite its mammoth geography and population size?  In our view, some of the reasons behind China’s successful lawfare are the following. First, China has demonstrated the political will and resolve to uproot corruption from within the system. ...Read More