Budget, taxes and amnesty on April 8, 2018Before announcing its sixth budget amid much criticism, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government announced yet another tax amnesty scheme, along with lowered income tax rates for individuals. Apparently, these steps are supposed to help in widening the tax net. Can this measure help take Pakistan out of the debt-trap? Will it help in overcoming […]
A peoples’ manifesto on April 1, 2018For the elections due in July 2018, the political parties have yet not made their manifestos public. None of the parties has any concrete and pragmatic programme to make Pakistan a true egalitarian state. For true democratic dispensation that ensures mass participation, it is imperative to debate fundamental reforms in all areas with the aim […]
First reform thyself on March 25, 2018We frequently hear from the higher echelons that all organs of state must act according to their boundaries, which are determined by the Constitution, and all should follow the rule of law. While this is undisputable; the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive accuse each other of breaching these constitutional boundaries all the time — none is […]
Taxes, justice and reforms on March 18, 2018After imposing more than 50 types of withholding taxes, why has the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) failed to enforce the filing of returns by all those who have taxable income? FBR has even failed to get returns from commercial enterprises, what to talk of millions of individuals that are openly defying tax laws by […]
Usurping rights of the people on March 11, 2018After hearing stories of the recent Senate elections being bought with money, the overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s poor and helpless citizens have come to the conclusion that the present system only favours the rich. They no longer have any doubts about the fact that the resources of this country are not meant for them. What […]
Taxes for welfare on March 4, 2018In his latest book, Dr. Ishrat Husain has rightly highlighted that under the existing tax system, less-privileged segments of society are subjected to oppressive taxation. What makes the situation more painful is the fact that money collected is not used for the welfare of the public but to finance the benefits of the elites. I […]
Constitution, parliament and voters on February 25, 2018The short order by Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 21, 2018 barring ousted/disqualified ex-Premier, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, from remaining head of party has once again elicited a heated debate about powers of judiciary and parliament under the supreme law of the land. Many believe that the order has abridged the inalienable, fundamental right given […]
PCO judges and shady rulers on February 18, 2018Nawaz Sharif, in a statement on February 15, said: “Judge who took oath under PCO committed treason”, and asked, “Will PCO judges now give us lessons on morality?” The role of dictators and their cronies in Pakistan’s history is known to all. In response to Nawaz Sharifs tirade against judges, Qamar Zaman Kaira, PPP leader, […]
Crime friendly laws on February 11, 2018In the wake of Supreme Court’s suo motu action on February 1, 2018 regarding the unlawful outward remittance of funds, stashing of assets abroad and flight of capital causing serious imbalance within Pakistan, the rich and mighty have appeared on various TV talk shows, warning that this action is another exercise in futility. They claim […]
Shackles of ‘learned helplessness’ on February 4, 2018Way back in 2006, Frédéric Grare, visiting scholar with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in his above-quoted paper, predicted continuous suffering of Pakistanis even after returning to elections due to de-politicisation of large segments of the population under military rules and voters’ apathy. His prediction has proved right. Today’s Pakistan is witnessing all kinds […]