Struggling for wheat flour
IT is happening all the time now. As Ramazan proceeds, a huge rush, sometimes ending in stampedes, at food distribution sites is a common sight. In Karachi, 12 people —…
The rising oil prices
In Pakistan, petroleum prices were raised yet again to Rs248.74 per litre for petrol and Rs 276.54 for diesel. This is the fourth time petroleum prices have been raised in…
As wheat prices soar, the world’s consumers vote with their feet
Global wheat consumption is headed for its biggest annual decline in decades as record inflation forces consumers and companies to use less and replace the grain with cheaper alternatives, amid…
Oil prices – what to do? – II
Classification of crude oil is based on viscosity (lightness or heavy) and sulfur level (sweet and sour/high, medium and low). Based on these two factors, there are six combinations or…
Reaching and implementing correct prices
Most economists rightly emphasize the role of the state in providing public goods and correcting market failures, but they often neglect the history of how markets came into being in…
Commodity Review: hefty cotton stocks keeping pressure off prices
COTTON: The previously buoyed cotton prices have been steadily strengthening in the last two weeks courtesy of rising mill interest. The prices however are still at an attractive level,…
Unpacking the flour crisis
Do you remember the commodity price crisis of years 2006-08? Even though Pakistan had produced sufficient wheat to meet its domestic requirements and remained insulated from most of the factors…
Oil majors strike it rich on rising crude prices
The world's leading oil companies published a bumper crop in profits last year as rising crude prices helped turn their fortunes around, but they remain cautious and are unlikely to…
Rising food prices
Food prices have been rising rapidly in the last few months. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation rate in food prices was only 1.4 percent in the…
About the ‘flourishing democracy’
Last week, during an interview to a TV channel when the US Ambassador in Pakistan was asked whether the US will support those who want to derail democracy in Pakistan,…
