Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on January 15, 2020 suspended the memberships of 318 lawmakers of the provincial assemblies, National Assembly and Senate, including Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Law Minister Farogh Naseem and Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri for failing to submit the...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq “I will not give in to unreasonable pressure of the business community….I will not step back after countrywide strikes by the business and trading fraternity….”—PM vows not to bow to traders’ pressure, July 17, 2019.  “…although there are gaps in the taxation system but that cannot be made the...Read More

State, elitism & poverty alleviation Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq “The State shall ensure the elimination of all forms of exploitation and the gradual fulfilment of the fundamental principle, from each according to his ability to each according to his work”—Article 3, 1973 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan “Man is born free, and...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In response to our article [Unconstitutional taxation by provinces, Business Recorder, January 3, 2020], a letter was published on January 9, 2020 titled ‘Unconstitutional’ taxation by provinces: SRB’s response’that raised some questions and made a few observations that need clarification, elaboration and further debate on vital constitutional provisions involved....Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq It is unfortunate that contrary to all tall claims of getting rid of loans, especially the costly ones, the coalition Government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in pursuit of ‘hot money’ from foreign entities is not only increasing the quantum of already monstrous debt and its servicing, but also causing loss to national...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “For thousands of years, until about 1850, you see humans accumulating more and more power by the invention of new technologies and by new systems of organization in the economy and in politics, but you don’t see any real improvement in the well-being of the average person”—Yuval Noah Harari, historian and professor. A...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq “The central government’s debt increased at a double-digit pace to Rs. 32.1 trillion by the end of November [2019], an addition of a whopping Rs. 5.7 trillion in just one year, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government failed to adequately enhance revenues to meet expenditures”—Shahbaz Rana, Public debt rises to Rs. 32.1tr...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “Inna akramakum inda-Allahi anqakum (Verily the most honourable among you with Allah is that believer who is pious).”―Al Quran, Al Hujaraat (49:13) A few days back, a dear friend expressed anxiety over a very serious issue—deciding on the most suitable life partner for daughters and sisters—confronted by many families in general but the...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “We are now living in a post–Roosevelt, post-Reagan universe. What comes next will not be post-partisan, because faction is an intrinsic human impulse”―Jon Meacham (writers, reviewer and presidential biographer) A cursory glance around the globe would reveal some very interesting developments. With technology in full swing, the world has shrunk in the palms...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In the wake of Panama Papers: Politicians, Criminal & Rogue Industry That Hide Their Cash, issued by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), heated debatesstarted in ever country for disclosures of information relating to matters falling in the category of public importance. In Pakistan people are disillusioned, as usual,...Read More