Iniquitous, inefficient tax system

ON Dec 18, the cash-strapped government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tabled the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 before the National Assembly, proposing sweeping changes in existing income and sales tax laws aimed at tightening the noose around tax dodgers — individuals and businesses both — by making it difficult for them to spend their illicit money.

This is the most significant action that the government is implementing ostensibly to punish tax dodgers, improve compliance and enforcement...