Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq Our existing tax system, which has been proposed to be further unjust and oppressive through Finance Bill 2019, is indeed highly complex and manipulative. For example, the Finance Bill 2019 proposes to tax property income beyond certain limits at higher rate as a separate block on gross basis up...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “I think there’s no higher calling in terms of a career than public service, which is a chance to make a difference in people’s lives and improve the world”—Jack Lew The last few decades have seen a systematic decline both in the manner in which public servants deal with the people, and in...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq A friend asked to outline as to what should be the ideal budgets for Pakistani people at federal and provincial levels. The answer can be simple: an ideal budget is one that has long-term vision of prosperity by doing justice with all economic classes within the society. It must ensure growth with...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Human beings come in many...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed”— Woodrow Wilson After announcement of the budget for coming fiscal year 2019-20 and Finance Bill 2019 by the present government, there is a growing apprehension as to how the poor and the middle class families...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq This week two developments made not only headlines but also created heated debates. The announcement by Prime Minister of establishing National Development Council (NDC) and appointment of Deputy Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as head of National Investigation Commission to investigate the monstrous increase in our debts during the Decade of...Read More

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Pakistan  Analysis of enforcement problems By Dr. Ikramul Haq I. INTRODUCTION The enforcement of sales tax [since 1990 it has been undergoing a gradual shift from General Sales Tax (GST) to Value Added Tax (VAT) type] in Pakistan is becoming more and more difficult and highly controversial, as hostility and...Read More

ByDr. Ikramul Haq* The persistent failure of our financial managers and tax collectors to overcome fiscal deficit and remove fiscal imbalances has created a situation where the very economic survival of the country is at stake. Our economic survival now lies in collecting taxes wherever due by abandoning the policy of appeasement towards the power...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq The persistent failure of our financial managers and tax collectors to overcome fiscal deficit and remove fiscal imbalances has created a situation where the very economic survival of the country is at stake. Our economic survival now lies in collecting taxes wherever due by abandoning the policy of appeasement towards the powerful...Read More

Dr Ikramul Haq[1] The tall claims made by the government about six months back that by 1st January 2001, it would introduce majors tax reforms and even promulgate a new Income Tax law proved to be yet another promise not kept. The deadline has now been extended to budget time when the finance ordinance will...Read More