Controlling the uncontrollable?
The PML-N’s response to criticism against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill, 2015 (PECB), in a nutshell, is that either vested interest groups with ulterior motives are opposing this perfect…
Irritatingly oppressive taxes – I
The National Assembly passed the Finance Bill 2015 amid a walkout by the Opposition during the 13th sitting of the 23rd session on June 23, 2015. According to Free and…
Budget proposals 2015-16 – VIII Essential tax reforms
"If we want lower taxes for growth, then spending must be curtailed so that governments won't need so much money. The next time you hear a politician promise another tax…
Menace of narco-terrorism
Every survey made since promulgation of Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979 ["Hadd Order"] shows that this nation has been persistently sinking deeper into narco-terrorism-a term signifying the drug-terror trap.…
Budget in elitist economy – I
In the coming days, the government of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), having a majority in National Assembly, will get the Finance Bill 2015 passed, without any difficulty, ignoring many sensible…
Document relevant for policymakers?
The Economic Survey 2014-15 contains, in common with last year, a clear and distinct bias in favour of the government''''s performance making the document largely irrelevant for policymakers. It has…
Challenges before Tax Commission
The government, in order to fulfil budget 2014 promise, notified a 20-member Tax Commission on September 25, 2014. The Commission has been asked to review and rationalise direct and indirect…
Is anything going the PML-N way?
A visibly-relieved Prime Minister held a meeting with other parliamentary leaders on Wednesday after Tahirul Qadri's supporters finally departed from Constitution Avenue. Once again he did not get a vote…
Governance remains an issue!
Governance remains a major issue even fourteen months after the PML-N government took over - a key manifesto promise that the party has failed to deliver on. While critics maintain…
Energy crisis: who is responsible?
The energy crisis in Pakistan continues to stifle not only the quality of life of an average householder but also industrial output with repercussions on the country's growth rate, employment…
