The politics of centralisation
The Covid-19 pandemic has played havoc with the world, resulted in a series of almost global lockdowns one after another, caused thousands of deaths and triggered an economic meltdown all…
Should we have a planning commission?
Khawaja Asif’s caustic remark: “If here had been a Planning Commission then, Taj Mahal would not have been built!” thankfully started a debate on this important issue. First, let us…
Finance Bill 2017: Why tax exemption for political parties?
In a country where the Finance Minister is accused of money laundering [What did Ishaq Dar 'confess' to during the Hudaibiya Paper Mills reference in 2002, Dawn, April 20, 2017]…
Inquiry reports
In many a postcolonial country, leaders have adopted institutions inherited from the British while also denuding them of their soul and spirit — among them, inquiries into cases of gross…
Tax, lies and red tape
At a time when Pakistan is facing the worst ever political standoff, the federal information minister in a press conference on November 27 accused the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf,…
An unused right
VARIOUS international and domestic factors have led to the adoption of Right To Information (RTI) laws across the world over the last 25 years. More than 90 countries now have…
Tax Directory of all
'All lawmakers are taxpayers'-Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, Business Recorder, January 7, 2014: On the first day of 2014, the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while appearing before Public Accounts…
Parties and the people
The Indian government is working on a bill with unanimous support to nullify a ruling by the Central Information Commission (CIC) that political parties fall within the ambit of the…
Suppressed reports
Governments set up inquiries to allay public disquiet; whether over a financial scandal, a case of ministerial corruption or a military disaster. But, with the proverbial shortness of public memory,…
Innovation in education
Pakistan’s higher education system is at a critical juncture and needs immediate and bold reforms to align with the demands of the modern world. For too long have outdated practices…
