India’s angst
“Patriotism”, said Samuel Johnson in 1775, “is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” Over the intervening years, this famous quote may have become a cliché, but has lost none of…
Angst over Armenia
I am an admirer of all things Turkish. I have fond memories of a few days spent in Turkey, exploring its rich tapestry of history and heritage, especially in Istanbul.…
Economic gangsters in Pakistan
I have been at it since 1985 when I started writing for the Frontier Post whose editor was the late Zafar Samdani whom I used to call the most broken…
Student unions effective in bringing best out of youngsters
Role of students’ unions have always been important in producing a best lot of youngsters having better perception and broader viewpoint and holding elections in the educational institutions will further…
RGST afflicted by a fatal disease
The federal government has failed to convince parliamentarians that the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) bill, tabled in the National Assembly is in the national interest. It has been reported…
GST in perspective
A critical evaluation of the GST in Pakistan is essential for many reasons. It would help to understand different aspects like; how well it functions in the current set-up and…
RGST
Pakistan’s fiscal situation has deteriorated in the past three years with a budget deficit averaging 6.3 per cent of GDP. There are indicators that it is likely to deteriorate further…
GST on services
Under the Government of India Act, 1935, the sales tax was a provincial subject. After independence the Government of Pakistan adapted the Government of India Act, 1935 (Sales Tax Act…
Fiscal discipline beyond RGST
Pakistan has requested the IMF for a nine-month extension in the $11.3 billion programme expiring on Dec 31, with a view to complying with the remaining performance criteria. How to…
On Reformed GST and against flood tax
The government has tabled the Reformed GST (RGST) bill in parliament along with some additional taxation measures including the one-time flood tax. The major political parties within and outside the…
