Misplaced mercantilism and the case for domestic markets
We are being told that the economy of Pakistan is in absolute free fall. Allegedly, the dominos of economic doom are in motion, and despite all our countless stopgap measures,…
Marriage market disequilibrium
WHY are countless educated Pakistani women single? Gary Becker’s economic theory of marriage can provide an answer. A Nobel laureate, Becker revolutionised family dynamics by applying economic principles to marriage…
Let the market decide
With an IMF (International Monetary Fund) determined to punish past misdemeanours and a government unwilling to embrace meaningful reform, Pakistan’s gas sector is as good as finished and will take…
Transforming maturity profile of domestic debt
Inflation is falling rapidly, nearing a four-year low, with FY25 (July 2024–June 2025) average inflation expected to fall within the SBP’s medium-term target of 5-7 percent. The tight monetary and…
Why financial markets matter
A well-developed financial system comprising dynamic capital markets and a robust banking sector is considered a critical driver of investment, productivity, and sustainable economic growth. Here, I discuss how the…
Political market
THIS story is about a country where the elites completely control politics and the economy. The elites are disproportionately overrepresented in parliament as money literally buys votes. The elites also…
What’s going on in the remittance market?
Pakistan’s remittance market comprises two types of remitters – those who send money to support the families they leave behind for employment overseas, and those seeking investment/savings opportunities back home,…
Chinese AI market optimistic despite scrutiny from West
China’s AI sector showed confidence this week at a major fair in Shanghai that it would overcome restrictions imposed by the West, with companies rolling out cutting-edge products developed by…
Stock market growth mirage
The stock market is booming, and the KSE 100 index has almost doubled in the past year. The market is at an all-time high, breaking records. This has excited a…
Jittery markets struggle with South Africa coalition puzzle
The prospect of South Africa’s first coalition government of the post-apartheid era is likely to keep markets jittery for months, but the weakened ANC party could soothe some nerves by…
