Complexities of electricity markets
Sugar, cement and flour scandals have shaken the confidence of people in markets. Regulations and government controls have not delivered either. In Karachi, people are suffering under the poor performance…
In Iraq’s Mosul, wholesale market revives trade legacy
Mountains of kitchen supplies, back-to-back butchers: the historic wholesale market in Iraq’s Mosul is battling the odds — from extremists to epidemic — to revive the city’s reputation as a…
Political risk climbs in New Zealand markets as Labour leads in poll
Investors in New Zealand's financial markets are suddenly having to price in political risk after a decade of stability, as a nailbiting election race looks set to trigger a shake-up…
Issues in farm economy and related markets
‘Before the coronavirus outbreak, food insecurity was already a severe problem. More than 820 million people – one in every nine – do not have enough to eat. Of these,…
Wholesale sugar prices decline
Sugar: The wholesale prices of sugar saw a decline for second consecutive week in the main wholesale markets of Karachi and Lahore, trading below Rs50 per kg as of September…
Improving the price indices
There has been an upsurge in the rate of inflation to almost a double-digit rate and some controversy over the measurement in the case of gas and electricity prices, in…
The challenge of informality
SPEAKING to an audience in Riyadh earlier this year, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb labelled the undocumented economy Pakistan’s “biggest challenge”. Given his role, and the associated IMF-coloured pressures that come with it,…
Afghan refugees
THE manner in which Afghan refugees are being repatriated from Pakistan is unfortunate. Under the Citizens’ Act, anyone born in Pakistan is a Pakistani citizen. If you apply this law,…
Neoliberal economic policy, and political economic outcomes
In a number of interviews after becoming finance minister, there is a sense of naivety reflected in the thoughts of. Muhammad Aurangzeb when he thinks that agriculture, for instance, should…
Competitive power market – II
Nepra (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) plans to revisit its determination and a reasonable mid-way solution can be found. There is a USAID study carried out by independent consultants, which…
