Counting our deficits
With this week’s advent of Ramazan, our lives have changed in some tangible ways. Our daily routines have acquired a new rhythm. At least in these initial days of the…
Equitable taxation
The concept of taxation has deep historical roots, dating back to the governance of Greek city-states, where elected governments were entrusted with managing the welfare of citizens. The Greeks utilized…
Tax expenditure as subsidy to elites: myth or reality?
In the last ten or so years, economic issues and tax collection by FBR has been brought increasingly under focus. Matters that were previously discussed in economic and policy circles…
The way ahead?
“All that we borrowed up to 1985-86 was about $5 billion; we have paid approximately $16 billion and are still being told that we owe around $28 billion. The $28…
The Toshakhana’s moral vacuum
Now that the Toshakhana record for the period 2002-2022 is in the public domain, we can see how morally questionable the rules were that allowed our leaders to keep gifts…
Pakistan: the scourge of inequality
Wealth inequality in Pakistan is overwhelming. According to a World Inequality Database report, the top 10% of Pakistani households earn 42% of the country’s income, while the bottom 50% earn…
Reaping the whirlwind
In recent months, I have had a question for any high official or person with access to the corridors of power: “is the situation as bad as people think it…
The 18th Amendment
To understand the significance of the 18th Amendment we need to keep in mind at least three earlier amendments: 8th, 13th, and 17th. In addition, the Charter of Democracy signed…
Effective reforms advocated to tap potential of Islamic finance
Insisting that Islam's social protection system corresponds to the multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals and serves as an excellent tool to build resilience across social and economic spheres, experts during…
Redefining Pakistan’s economy
This article is an effort on not only understanding the fundamental economic issues but also some tough but realistic reforms that can provide immediate corrections and some medium to long-term…
