ZarTasha

Economist

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. -C.S. Lewis

[Kasim Gilani @KasimGillani]

The Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME) has formally urged Parliament to rationalise Pakistan’s smartphone tax regime, warning that excessive taxes are deepening the digital divide, hurting affordability, encouraging grey market imports, and limiting digital inclusion. It’s time to make smartphones affordable and accessible for every Pakistani.

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

@Amrkhhan @navift That’s the key point of report too

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

Very proud to share that my report “Taxing Connectivity: how taxes and tariffs deepen Pakistan’s digital divide” has been published. The report argues that Unconditional tax concessions to local assemblers have created rent-seeking behaviour without benefits to the economy.

[Mehtab Haider @haider_mehtab]

"A new report released by the PRIME Institute reveals that the import of mobile phones is rising in Pakistan, going up from $500 million to $1.75 billion in recent years.

During the two-day Taxpayer Alliance conference held in Islamabad on Saturday, the PRIME Institute recommended harmonising the GST rate of 18 per cent on the import of mobile devices.

Currently, mobile phones imported into Pakistan face a tiered sales tax regime: 18pc on device’s valued up to $500, and a punitive 25pc on devices exceeding $500. While the policy intends to discourage luxury imports and protect local assemblers, its consequences have been counterproductive, including grey market expansion resulting in revenue leakage and consumer penalty.

In the Eighth Schedule of the Sales Tax, 1990 the differential rate of sales tax on imported mobiles, depending on the value, should be omitted. Harmonized 18pc sales tax should be applicable on imports of CBU devices, irrespective of their value, the report added"
https://t.co/fzLmul14KK

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

The full report can be accessed at https://t.co/bUpZHs12Q5

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

To bridge this divide, PRIME recommends 1 flattening the tiered sales tax to a harmonized 18% on all devices, 2) slashing the 15% Advance Income Tax on internet services down to 8%, and replacing unconditional tariff protection for local assemblers with, performance based metrics

[Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) @PIDEpk]

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭 | 𝗦𝗶𝘅-𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀

The first week of the Induction Training Programme for Research Officer from Economics group has successfully concluded, laying a strong foundation for analytical rigor, professional growth, and policy-oriented thinking.

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:
- Introduction to Economic Research and Policy Analysis
- Quantitative Research Methods and Applied Econometrics
- Data Management and Statistical Software Training
- Economic Structure of Pakistan’s Economy
- Storytelling with Data

𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻:
- Know Thyself, a journey of self-development
- Workplace decorum and organizational culture
- Interpersonal skills
- Workplace harassment awareness and professional ethics

This week marked a balanced beginning, integrating knowledge, skills, reflection, and institutional values.

𝗔𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻.

@nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan

#PIDE #ResearchOfficers #CapacityBuilding #PolicyMaking #EconomicResearch #Training

[Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) @PIDEpk]

A 𝐒𝐢𝐱-𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 for Research Officers (Economist Group – BPS-17) commenced with its inaugural session at @PIDEpk. The Vice Chancellor, PIDE, Dr. Nadeem Javaid (@nadeemjavaid75), Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Chief Economist, Planning Commission, and Dr. Nadeem Khan (@nadeem2130), Director EDC, opened the session with a detailed briefing on the structure and scope of the programme.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Chief Economist, highlighted that PIDE, with its strong technical capacity and expertise, offers an ideal environment for training newly inducted Research Officers.

The Vice Chancellor PIDE, Dr. Nadeem Javaid, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to delivering high-quality training and professional development, emphasizing that the program will equip participants with the skills required for effective policy analysis and development planning.

@betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @FaheemJehangir, @Fizzscreams

#PIDE #Training #CapacityBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment

[Ilhan Niaz @IlhanNiaz]

The Strait of Hormuz was open for all before the US attacked Iran.

Iran placed & enforces an interdict on the movement of ships in response to US attacks.

Now, the US military goal may have shifted to trying to reopen the Strait that was open before it attacked Iran.

You just can’t make this stuff up.

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

غیر سیاسی

[Dexie @dexiewrites]

apka ex chahey jitna bhi gira hua ho, lekin Indian Rafale sey zyada koi nahi gira hua.

[Miftah Ismail @MiftahIsmail]

This is a WhatsApp message my daughter sent me just now. I have to share it here.

“I’m feeling very proud to be Pakistani and the integrity our people and media are showing.”

Mr Modi and his electoral calculus have united us and given us all hope and pride.

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

Lahore Media..

#LLF2024

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

Ouch!!

[Meph⚓ @UnitedsFreak]

Please wear all black tomorrow to mourn your love life

[🍂 @Lovandfear]

- Jane Austen

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

@adeelzsiddiqui تو میرا حوصلہ تو دیکھ، داد تو دے کہ اب مجھے
شوقِ کمال بھی نہیں، خوفِ زوال بھی نہیں

[🍂 @Lovandfear]

- Mahmoud Darwish

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

@siacidal Us

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

@siacidal Mje b dena please

[ZarTasha @zar_tashaa]

@coliescheri I’m interested too 🍿