Beyond macroeconomics
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) epitomizes a global economic paradigm rooted in inequality with little emphasis on inclusiveness. Advocates of this model argue that some degree of inequality is essential,…
Economic policy needs a hard reset
The present currency crisis in Pakistan is unprecedented. PKR has depreciated against USD from 180 to 305 since March 2022, and now it is a creating a self-feeding bubble. People…
Navigating economic corridors
We are living in an era of ‘corridorization’, ‘economic corridor’ being the new buzzword. The proponents of these ‘corridors’ claim that they are vital for increasing regional connectivity and trade.…
Economic pragmatism vs ideological rigidity
Compare last week’s newspaper headlines with those from the 1990s and it would seem that little has changed in Pakistan’s economic circumstances. Currently, as in the 1990s, the country is…
Journey of economic revival
On April 19, 2022, I faced the most challenging day of my life when I took on the role of federal minister for planning, development & special initiatives. I was…
Need for greater discretionary economic policy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pushed for pro-cyclical, austerity-based policies in its Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) programme with Pakistan in line with its usual bread-and-butter policy prescription generally meted out…
Pakistan & Argentina: two economic scenarios
“On July 28, the Argentine authorities and IMF staff reached a staff-level agreement on the combined fifth and sixth reviews under Argentina’s 30-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. This agreement…
Economic policy by the interim govt
Given Pakistan is facing very difficult economic challenge, mainly in the shape of bringing debt sustainability, on one hand, and on the other controlling inflation, while also providing as much…
‘Heat economic policy’
It is, indeed, important that Pakistan should continue to deal with its macroeconomic and growth challenges of the traditional nature, reducing twin deficits, avoiding stagflation, reforming state-owned enterprises, and fixing…
Economic challenges: timely actions needed
The coalition government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is approaching completion of its tenure in the next few days. While presenting their last budget for the current fiscal year…
