IMF parleys and debt enslavement on November 25, 2018The impasse in talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and their deferment till January 2018, has received a mixed reaction in Pakistan. For many, this is a good omen. For others, it can lead Pakistan to more economic woes. The many-days-long debates were finally declared “inconclusive’ on November 20 2018, as both […]
Retrieving billions for the marginalised on November 18, 2018In a meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination, Dr Fehmida Mirza, on October 10, 2018, it was reportedly conveyed that the trans-provincial fund, assets, institutions and the programmes run by the Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) were difficult to be divided among the provinces and […]
Xinjiang, BRI and ‘Islamic Card’ on November 11, 2018Like the ‘Islamic Card Policy’ of the 1980s, which helped the United States and its allies to dismantle the hostile Marxist USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), the new onslaught against China through use of ploy of ‘mass internment of Uyghur Muslims’ is aimed at countering the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). The military and […]
Wages of appeasement on November 4, 2018We have a long and painful history of State’s patronage of corrupt practices, tax evasion, money power, and protection of forces of obscurantism that have been thriving on hatred, bigotry, militancy, intolerance and terrorism. Undoubtedly, what we are facing today in the corridors of power and on the streets are wages of the State’s policy […]
Political economy of tax exclusions on October 28, 2018The tax codes of Pakistan at the federal level – Sales Tax Act, 1990, Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, Customs Act, 1969 and Federal Excise Act, 2005 – contains numerous exemptions and concessions, majority of these were added, modified or withdrawn through executive orders, called statutory regulatory orders (SROs), without the consent of Parliament in violation […]
A tax for the poor that the rich never paid on October 21, 2018The fiscal woes of Pakistan are due to the 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 Board of Revenue (FBR) has failed to collect it from the defaulters […]
IMF, NFC Award & PTI on October 14, 2018According to a Press report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the Finance Minister of Pakistan to reduce the share of provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, as a condition for new bailout package. Reportedly, Mr. Asad Umar refused to commit anything which is not allowed by the Constitution of Pakistan. In […]
Colonial judiciary, vernacular justice on October 7, 2018History of existing laws and judicial structures in Pakistan dates back to the British colonial era — since independence nothing substantial has changed in the Anglo Saxon system except a patchwork of so-called Islamic laws and establishment of Federal Shariat Court by General Ziaul Haq. Two conflicting legal systems have given undue advantage to the […]
Resource mobilisation strategy on September 30, 2018The real story behind the annual growth of 16-20 percent in revenue collection of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from 2013 to 2018 remains untold. It is a sordid story of cheat and deceit. The facts reveal that behind the “extraordinary” (claimed and acclaimed) revenue growth, lies blocking of refunds of billions of rupees and […]
Innovative tax measures on September 23, 2018A good tax system is one that raises money with minimal distortion to the economy. In Pakistan an oppressive, unfair and complex tax system is the main source of many distortions in the economy. We need a fresh approach to reverse the negative role of taxation to achieve higher growth in the economy. It is […]