Carbon levy, water pricing & the green tax puzzle
It began with a bang—quite literally. On April 16, Islamabad was hammered by a freak hailstorm that turned the capital into a scene from a disaster flick. Hailstones the size…
Improving national tax culture
The International Monetary Fund has agreed to lower Pakistan’s tax collection target for the ongoing fiscal year from Rs 12.97 trillion to Rs 12.35 trillion, a move that highlights the…
‘Unconstitutional’ windfall tax—II
Discriminatory without intelligible differentia [Points 7 & 8] The Supreme Court of Pakistan in Federation of Pakistan through Chairman FBR and others v Hazrat Hussain and others (2018 SCMR 939)…
Export-led growth and effective tax management: Leveraging Digital Product Passport
As the EU tightens its regulations, many countries view compliance as a mere obligation, but the implications of this can have benefits far beyond maintaining trade relations. By aligning with…
SOEs burden on taxpayers no surprise
Conventional economic theory argues that pursuit of privatisation is to enhance service quality, attract private investment, reduce government intervention and improve accountability and transparency in the management of public assets.…
Tax under weak enforcement
IN the wake of a Rs356 billion shortfall in targeted revenues during the first five months of the current fiscal year, the government has introduced the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill…
Fixing taxation
AN essential component of any progressing economy is the taxation system. However, Pakistan’s tax regime is grappling with issues often faced by developing economies: low compliance, inefficiencies, and a narrow…
How the ADR tax distorts the financial sector
The tax on Advance-to-Deposit Ratio (ADR) was introduced through the Finance Acts of 2021 and 2022 approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly and these provisions are being enforced by the Federal…
Countering sales tax frauds
Globally, tax crimes have always been a significant threat to economic stability and governance. These offences that include tax evasion, fake invoicing, refund fraud, and misreporting of income, lead to…
Tobacco taxes – treaties, tensions, and trends
Pakistan faces a pressing need for a sustainable tobacco taxation policy, particularly as tobacco use imposes severe health and economic burdens on the country. With over 160,000 deaths annually due…
