‘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)…
Neo-colonialism and global agencies
In the context of the post-colonial world, numerous developing countries have operated under the assumption that the era of foreign domination has concluded. However, the advent of globalisation and the…
The global trade war
The USA, under the new Trump Administration, has unilaterally imposed tariffs on all imports into the country. The first step, effective from 5th of April 2025, was the imposition of…
Pakistan’s taxation trap: overburdening formal economy feeds the informal
Tax compliance in Pakistan has been dismal for decades, and every increase in tax rates or the imposition of new levies - whether GST, income tax, or withholding tax (WHT)…
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…
Tax culture
Tax-to-GDP ratio in Pakistan is singled out as the principal devil in the fiscal regime of Pakistan and termed as unsustainable. IMF, time and again, highlights it as such and…
AI-led taxation
It was famously said by Benjamin Franklin, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes”. Perhaps Benjamin was unaware of the lagging efficient administration, shallow policy orchestrations, and…
A call for global unity
The Global South is grappling with poverty, illiteracy, human rights abuses, widespread impoverishment, poor health conditions, food shortages, climate disasters, lawlessness and terrorism. It represents an updated version of the…
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…
