Any disorder better than this paralysis
Never in my life did I think that I would have a kind word to say about a figure in religious garb. But then our bankrupt politics can make even…
Violence in the home
A Banker in New York aims a vase at his wife. She ducks and is not hit. She calls the police. The husband is arrested and spends five years in…
Economic decisions ahead of general election
A lot has been said and written about the state of the economy in the last few years. Independent economists and domestic and international professional organisations like the State Bank…
PML-N’s financial wizardry
I am surprised to read the PML-N’s defence of the failed economic policies of George W Bush, advocating their implementation in Pakistan. Zubair Mohmmad in his article titled ‘Bushonomics and…
The SBP and the economy
On June 8 the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued a brief statement on the country’s economic situation, while announcing no change in its policy rate for the next two…
Misplaced optimism
While delivering a keynote speech on the state of Pakistan’s economy at a seminar organised by the Management Association of Pakistan in Lahore on March 1, 2012, the governor of…
Subtle manipulation?
The Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh claimed a 4 percent growth rate for the economy while attending the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meeting in April while on 26…
Convoluted expectations
All and sundry continue to protest the lending behaviour of commercial banks and their large `spreads` (the difference between the interest rates on their lending and the interest rate that…
The worst is still to come
With the fifth most turbulent year (2012) in Pakistan’s economic history drawing to a close yesterday, the year 2013 has just begun. Far from being a fresh start, there are…
Misconceptions about aid
Foreign aid evokes much scepticism in Pakistan. Many argue that it creates dependence, undermines sovereignty, increases debt, encourages corruption and discourages local initiative. They find Pakistan`s use of foreign aid…
