Taxes

Domestic resource trap: When raising revenue shrinks the economy

• Ultimate goal is to create a larger, more productive economy, ensuring a robust and sustainable base truly worth taxing

Published 26 Oct, 2026 04:41pm

The hornets’ nest

• Dangerous hornet's nest on the farm forces author to confront the limits of coexistence, prioritising safety of workers and rescued animals

Published 26 Oct, 2026 01:04pm

2026-10-26-12-14

Growth for the elite

Now that stabilization has been achieved growth is the overarching objective, the Prime Minister and the Finance... Updated 26 Oct, 2026 06:26am

2026-10-26-12-14

Pakistan’s stable rupee makes rate rise more likely

Pakistan has absorbed the oil shock better than expected. But as global monetary conditions tighten, political... Published 26 Oct, 2026 04:07am

2026-10-26-12-13

Economic sovereignty and Pakistan’s auto policy

Pakistan’s reported decision to resist a proposed 18 percent sales tax on electric vehicles under the Auto Policy... Published 26 Oct, 2026 04:07am

2026-10-26-12-13

Oil price hike poses challenges for Fed policymakers

The main event in the financial sector last week was the drop in 10-year US Treasury yields, which fell beneath the... Updated 26 Oct, 2026 06:42am

Education reform takes 10 years. Out-of-school children do not have 10 years

• 20mn Pakistani children are out of school, a crisis demanding immediate, dual-track educational reform

Published 25 Oct, 2026 10:11pm

2026-10-25-12-09

Pakistan on the global stage: What has changed? — II

The same evolution is visible in sovereign credit. Pakistan’s major ratings are now all back within the broader B... Published 25 Oct, 2026 02:25am

2026-10-24-12-52

Oman: rising on the horizon

Britain’s extraordinary welcome to Oman ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and an equally extraordinary media coverage... Published 24 Oct, 2026 05:32am

2026-10-24-12-52

Dangers of obesity

Because stories that show pictures of starving children attract a lot of attention, they are regularly appearing in... Updated 24 Oct, 2026 06:58am

2026-10-24-01-19

Pakistan on the global stage: What has changed? — I

The conversation around Pakistan has changed. The most important outcome for Pakistan at the 2026 World Bank... Updated 24 Oct, 2026 07:04am

2026-10-24-01-19

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Democracy, not revenge, is a dish best served cold

“Democracy is a dish best served cold.” “That’s not the expression, its revenge is a dish best served cold.” “That’s... Published 24 Oct, 2026 05:32am

2026-10-23-12-47

FBR and the same old cure!

Pakistan’s tax reform tragedy is captured in Mir Taqi Mir’s unforgettable couplet: “Mir kya saada hain, beemaar hue... Updated 23 Oct, 2026 06:39am

2026-10-23-12-47

Learning from China’s economic philosophy and policy — XIV

The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations should improve the learning equation of Pakistan with regard to China.... Updated 23 Oct, 2026 08:24am

2026-10-23-12-27

Another reprieve, not yet stabilization

Pakistan joined the IMF in 1950. Since then it has entered 25 formal lending arrangements, plus a separate emergency... Updated 23 Oct, 2026 06:16am

2026-10-23-02-31

PARTLY FACETIOUS: We must support road blocks

“Welcome to my home, this is a surprise.” “I urgently needed to tell you that I need you to return the money I lent... Published 23 Oct, 2026 05:47am

2026-10-22-12-59

Attention must be sustained

Pakistan’s power sector is receiving renewed attention. Whether that attention marks a genuine turning point will... Published 22 Oct, 2026 05:52am

2026-10-22-12-59

Reimagining Pakistan’s tax administration—II

PRAL should be strengthened as a national tax technology authority responsible for: • Taxpayer registration and... Published 22 Oct, 2026 05:52am

2026-10-22-12-59

Lowering speed limits could help Pakistan save millions of litres of fuel every year

Pakistan’s lower speed limits on motorways and national highways could save about 141 million litres of petrol and... Updated 22 Oct, 2026 07:13am

2026-10-22-01-19

PARTLY FACETIOUS: A war of narratives

“So whose narrative is prevailing?” “The Man Who Must Remain Nameless, Voiceless and Faceless…” “Which component of... Published 22 Oct, 2026 05:52am

A deep-dive into the new tax system

Pakistan’s tax system has been caught in a vicious cycle for many years: a low tax base, high levels of informality,... Published 21 Oct, 2026 08:34pm

Wheat import: double jeopardy

The government decided to import one million tons of wheat amid sharply rising wheat and flour prices. The Economic... Published 21 Oct, 2026 08:20pm

2026-10-21-12-19

The saver pays—II

Pakistan’s banks are strong, profitable and protected. Its financial system is shallow. Zafar Masud blames “the... Published 21 Oct, 2026 02:29am

2026-10-21-12-19

Are Pakistan’s ease-of-doing-business initiatives delivering?

Pakistan does not lack ease-of-doing-business initiatives. Over the past few years, the government has created the... Published 21 Oct, 2026 02:29am

2026-10-21-12-22

Reimagining Pakistan’s tax administration—I

For decades, tax reform has remained one of Pakistan’s most frequently debated yet least successfully implemented... Published 21 Oct, 2026 02:29am

2026-10-21-12-25

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Talal Chaudhary a de jure sort of guy not de facto

“The Third Titan has not yet agreed to a meeting….” “Who? The Man Who Must Remain Nameless and Faceless is... Published 21 Oct, 2026 02:29am

Great team players who are unintentional spoilers

“Such a precious part of the team.” “Wonderful sport.” “He is always there.” We all yearn for these “wonder-person”... Published 20 Oct, 2026 07:47pm

2026-10-20-01-28

High incidence of poverty—II

The previous article had focused on the finding by the World Bank that Pakistan accounted for half the poverty in... Updated 20 Oct, 2026 06:00am