Shehbaz Sharif: expectations and limitations
The word ‘Shehbaz’ literally means a high flying bird. Therefore, the launch of a five-year economic programme with the meaningful title of ‘Uraan Pakistan’ speaks volumes about Shehbaz’s desire to…
Finding political legitimacy
I wrote about the CAR framework last month and posited that governance has become much more challenging because ‘capability’, ‘accountability’ and ‘responsiveness’ have all become compromised. These qualities have been…
Analysing the implementation of political manifestos
Since 1950, Pakistan has undergone significant political changes, alternating between military and civilian rules. After 1990, the major political parties like PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz), PPP (Pakistan People’s Party), and…
Economic impasse and political instability
The economic challenges of Pakistan are appallingly enduring, and unless we effectively address fiscal discipline issues, expand our tax base, and eliminate resource wastage, the country’s economic stagnation is likely…
Covid-19 & the political unrest
WITH few cases and no deaths from Covid-19 in Pakistan in recent weeks, the pandemic seems to have taken a back seat while political chaos is taking centre stage. The…
Imitation and limitations of liberalism
In the aftermath of 9/11, the question about the compatibility of Islam with modernity, or to be precise liberalism, has become the burning question of the decade among intelligentsia belonging…
The people must get political
The last few years have been defined by events of monumental proportions, events that caused quite a stir around the world. From the Middle East to Africa to Latin America…
Limitations of power
ON Saturday, President Obama declared, `I have decided that the United States should take military action against Syrian regime targets`. But he went on to say that he had also…
Pythagoras and the holy dip
RELIGIOUS beliefs and science have coexisted for centuries. Science and superstition can also find a way to trudge along together. A brilliant scientist may not tread the path that has…
Gas tariffs and reforms—II
However, some increase in small and medium category tariff will have to be, willy-nilly, done to cover the costs. In Bangladesh, minimum monthly charge is PkRs 1380-1500 per MMBtu for…
