Who Is Really to Blame?

By ASIF IQBAL

Pakistan’s economic challenges are not merely rooted in a shortage of resources, but more critically in their unequal distribution. The tax system stands as a clear example of this imbalance, where the burden disproportionately falls on salaried individuals and ordinary citizens, while influential and high-income groups continue to benefit from systemic loopholes.
The reality is that whenever the state faces fiscal pressure, the most immediate and convenient solution is to extract more from the public whether through increased fuel prices, higher energy tariffs, or the imposition of new taxes. In contrast, meaningful reductions in government expenditures, expansion of the tax base, and long-term structural reforms remain largely neglected. This approach not only reflects policy weakness but also erodes public trust.
Furthermore, the common citizen is subjected to both direct and indirect taxation, often without a corresponding improvement in basic public services. This imbalance has fostered a growing sense of deprivation and disillusionment, which poses a serious risk to economic stability.
There is an urgent need to establish a fair, comprehensive, and effective tax system in which every capable individual and sector contributes its due share. At the same time, transparency and austerity in government spending must be ensured so that citizens can have confidence that their contributions are being utilized responsibly.
Ultimately, a stable economy is not built solely on increased revenue collection, but on fairness, trust, and balanced policymaking. Until these principles are upheld, the question will continue to resonate: who is really to blame?