Huzaima and Ikram deserve praise

The PTI government ought to have given due credit to taxation experts Huzaima Bukhari and Dr Ikramul Haq who have been highlighting the inherent flaws in country's taxation system. In their latest op-ed for Business Recorder, they have pointed out, inter alia, that "This report [by Tax Reforms Commission] relies on many of our recommendations and suggestions that were presented during the last 20 years in various columns and our books. This fact was duly acknowledged in the Tax Reforms Commission's report. Since our criticism of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was quoted verbatim and unholy alliance of political elite and tax evaders was exposed, Ishaq Dar and stalwarts of FBR decided to declare the report confidential. It is open violation of Article 19A. It is high time that the Prime Minster takes note of it and order Hafeez Shaikh and Shabbar Zaidi to make the report public without further delay".

The government must acknowledge the merit of their struggle that they have been waging for so many years in the largest interest of the taxpayers of Pakistan. That both Huzaima and Ikram speak out loudly is a fact. They deserve praise for their articulation and sincerity of purpose.