Structural reforms
As the general elections of 2018 draw closer, there has been much talk on how they can be made more inclusive and acceptable to all political players – the mother…
Railways not on the reforms track
At the World Economic Forum, the Prime Minister of Pakistan expressed deep concerns over the country’s deteriorating energy landscape, lamenting that the power sector had turned Pakistan into a “begging…
AI and the fear of losing the pen
AI is a reality, and as everyday people gain access to writing tools, a palpable discomfort has emerged among some. The concern is often expressed in arguments about authenticity, creativity…
Pakistan’s prisons in peril
Prison management is an essential pillar of any criminal justice system, directly tied to the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts and the correctional process. Efficient prison governance ensures that incarceration…
Women’s mobility
LEERING, lewd remarks, being whistled at and touched are part and parcel of a Pakistani woman’s daily commute on public buses and at bus stops. Restricted mobility, to a great…
Tackling the electricity challenge
Pakistan is once again facing a shortfall of electricity in winter. Last year, there was a nationwide electricity blackout on account of similar issues. It then becomes essential to discuss…
Conflict within ruling class major cause of economic ‘meltdown’
Pakistan initiated economic stabilisation and structural reform programmes in 1988. In an effort to reduce internal financial imbalances and external deficits, however, there have been challenges with consistency and hierarchy…
Self-isolated reflections: export prospects
Several years ago a zealous head of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) decided to emblazon all EPB ads with the logo “Export or perish”. His boss, the Commerce Secretary, thought that…
‘Pleasant surprise’?
The Ishaq Dar-led Finance Ministry recently had occasion to crow - indicated by the dissemination of information through a press release as well as from the taxpayers funded official news…
Winners of austerity
The economy continues to present a contrasting picture between stability and recession. The most significant sign of stability is the stemming of declining reserves, which have risen to $10.8 billion…
