Malaysia prepared to take Israel to ICJ over treatment of Gaza flotilla activists

Kuala Lumpur will initiate proceedings once lawyers complete collection of information, supporting evidence The Malaysian government is prepared to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the alleged kidnapping and torture of activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla, local media reported Monday. Amirudin Shari, Chief Minister of the Malaysian…

Read More

Looking beyond preferences scheme

While Pakistan can continue reforming its tariff regime over the coming years before pursuing major bilateral agreements, it cannot afford to ignore regional developments. photo:file ISLAMABAD: The summit meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping was overshadowed by rising tensions in the Middle East, yet trade issues remained high on the agenda. While…

Read More

Poor tax design, not evasion, keeps ratio low

Behavioural fixes like pre-filled returns and ring-fenced funds could boost compliance Research conducted by Australia’s tax authorities revealed that the first communication a new taxpayer receives affects their long-run compliance behaviour. photo: file ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio has remained around 9% to 10% for several decades now – a figure that is alarmingly low for…

Read More

Naqvi-PTI meeting sparks controversy

ISLAMABAD: A quietly held meeting between senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has triggered a debate of possible back channel contacts between the opposition party and powers that be and also raised questions over internal communication and coordination within the party after it emerged that party founding chairman Imran Khan’s family…

Read More

The cost of being formal in Pakistan

Formal sector and salaried class pay high taxes because they are visible, while undocumented and big fish remain comfo View of business offices and under construction residential apartments in Karachi, Pakistan September 23, 2025 Photo: Reuters ISLAMABAD: I run the kind of business Pakistan says it wants and needs. I produce goods, employ people, file…

Read More

Pakistan expands health ties in Geneva moot

. ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mustafa Kamal held meetings with the health ministers of Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Syria on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, where the parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in the health sector. According to the Ministry of National Health Services on Sunday,…

Read More