Dr. Ikramul Haq “We can either have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both”— Louis Brandeis “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “The impulse to cruelty is, in many people, almost as violent as the impulse to sexual love—almost as violent and much more mischievous”—Aldous Huxley In his article published in the The Tribune on 16 June 2015, Hashim Bukhari has rightly pointed out to a very serious issue that merits attention at the highest...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq It is shocking that while the number of unemployed has increased alarmingly and the poor are suffering from hunger, malnutrition and serious health issues, multiplied since the outbreak of Covid-19 endemic, the non-development and wasteful expenses of the present government like its predecessors, has increased substantially as per budget...Read More

Dr. Ikramul Haq Over the period of time, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the apex body responsible for collecting federal taxes, has been violating its own law under which it came into existence. FBR was established through a Parliamentary Act, Federal Board of Revenue Act of 2007 [hereinafter “the FBR Act”], repealing the Central Board...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq Today, Jul 9, 2020 is 53rd death anniversary of Madira-e-Millat, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah All those who are concerned with the empowerment of women and other weaker sections of society are aware that this goal is not possible without democratisation of all institutions in our society. Those who believe in gender...Read More

Huzaima Bukhari “What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power, and the power to abuse”—Isabel Allende, writer from Chile A uniformed security guard of a reputed educational institute stopped a regular adjunct faculty member from entering the premises just because his parking sticker was no longer valid and they had...Read More

Lack of initiatives & innovations—II  Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The existing system imposes high taxes but yields low revenues. Only 2000 companies pay 75% of total taxes. The standard sales tax rate is 17% but effective rate, according to 2016 report of Tax Reforms Commission, was not more than three to four percent....Read More

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 authority does not function properly, it could lead to a security risk. No nation...Read More

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 authority does not function properly, it could lead to a security risk. No nation...Read More

FBR, tax collection & elite Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq The passage of Finance Bill 2020 by the National Assembly on June 29, 2020, amid protest by the Opposition, claim by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of exceeding the revised target for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 (Rs. 4126 billion gross and Rs. 4000 billion...Read More