N Korea’s ‘socialist utopia’ needs mass labour
In January, thousands of North Korean students travelled to Mount Paektu, a sacred mountain where the ruling family claims its roots and where leader Kim Jong Un is building a…
Fata needs a new social contract
One of the most significant events in the history of Fata and the lives of its people was the creation of Pakistan in 1947. After a long period of isolation…
Mental cost of social media
When joke becomes a reality—a cartoon on a person sitting in an addiction treatment clinic. The doctor is asking him what is he addicted to alcohol or drugs? He replies,…
Why Pakistan needs a Constitutional Court
Given the timing of the proposed constitutional amendment and our traditional rhetorical approach to constitutional discourse, it is certainly easy to look past the legitimate benefits of establishing a Constitutional…
The economy needs a reset
The government is all primed to sign a new IMF deal and celebrate more debt. Yet, it needs to reflect why we are in an endless loop of near default…
Social protection in Pakistan
In Pakistan poverty levels have reached a high of 40 percent, equivalent to those in Sub Sahara Africa, and hence there is a compelling need for domestic and international stakeholders…
A social democratic, green, mission-oriented budget
In contrast to the usual approach to a budget discourse based on ideas around raising taxes, and expenditure allocations with slight hints of expanding the tax base, and having progressivity,…
Towards a new eco-social contract
At the recent UNFPA Asia-Pacific Leadership Conference, I had the honour of moderating a panel discussion on demographic diversity. The panel discussion delved into the complexities of developing new business…
Social media blackouts
Pakistan has long touted its ambitions to improve its citizens’ quality of life and economic well-being through digital transformation. This includes initiatives such as Digital Pakistan, or the more recent…
Social welfare for GB
VERY November, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan commemorate their freedom and accession to Pakistan. The Pakistani state actively promotes the region as the most beautiful part of the country, highlighting its…
