Rethinking strategic assets
The term ‘strategic’ is mostly used in military connotations, although its literal meaning translates into key or crucial. Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “a plan of action or policy…
Aid, appeasement and strategic assets
President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is an unprecedented step and has been considered “a major break with his predecessors”. He did what various presidents, both Republican…
Privatisation of strategic assets: guidelines
The government has said time and again that it is resorting to privatisation in order to reduce the burden on the national exchequer as these state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are running…
The trouble with ‘strategic assets’
Relations between the US and Pakistan, which have been particularly fraught for much of this year, took an unprecedented dive last week following Adm Mike Mullen’s congressional testimony implicating the…
Pakistan’s strategic location: fact-check
Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East undoubtedly makes it well positioned to facilitate connectivity and trade flow, offering potential as a…
‘Strategic’ SOEs bereft of strategic merits
“There is no such thing as a strategic SOE.” This statement by Finance Minister Aurangzeb is spot on. However, bureaucracy influences the leadership by suggesting numerous SOEs (State-Owned Enterprises) as…
FATF strategic initiatives & Pakistan
The fourth, three-day plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) concluded on October 27, 2023, with delegates from more than 200 jurisdictions that addressed prominent issues related to…
A case for strategic privatization
Whenever the economy is in hot waters, selling state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is seen as a key ingredient of the recipe for economic recovery. The IMF, the lender of last resort,…
India’s strategic dilemma
India’s balancing act on Ukraine has so far only satisfied the Russian side, a time-tested partner and its largest supplier of weapons. While the US and EU leadership has been…
Strategic changes
Pakistan must change the strategic directions of development and rise to face the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. According to McKinsey Global, the emerging technologies will have an impact…
