Growing inequalities in income and wealth are a serious issue in Pakistan
A majority of the measures announced in the Finance Bill 2021 amount to over-taxing an economy that is in deep recession
Performance of the tax managers is highly disappointing. For the last two years the fiscal deficit has been over 9 percent of the GDP
One hopes the regressive withholding taxes on the telecom sector will be withdrawn in the upcoming budgets
Those conducting transactions worth billions of rupees but not filing returns should be immediately tapped
Devising a rational policy and revenue mobilisation strategy is the biggest challenge for the new finance minister
The ordinance represents a bad move, confirming complete economic subjugation that the PTI had promised to end
Barring a few cases, all provinces have been collecting land tax and not agricultural income tax
A system lacking credibility and transparency is bound to fail
After the 18th Amendment, the right to levy wealth tax and inheritance tax is with the provinces
In the wake of the 18th Amendment, fiscal management needs fresh thinking
Millions below the poverty line, small businesses and sectors badly affected have been ignored by the government of PTI in the very beginning of 2021
Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies need to enhance their understanding and knowledge of risks related to TBML
Forcing a person not earning taxable income to pay advance tax or file tax returns is a blatant violation of Article 4 of the Constitution
The real dilemma of the PTI government is that it has no plan — short-, medium- and long-term — to overcome fiscal maladies
The minimum tax regime is in utter violation of the constitution as elaborated by the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Had actual tax been collected from tax evaders, the poor could have been provided affordable houses
The remedy lies in lower rates of sales tax and a broad base with effective enforcement
The incremental increase in tax received from new filers has not been mentioned despite repeated requests
The generous tax exemptions, especially to the privileged and tax evaders must end
