Some economic advice for the PM
The first thing perhaps that the PM needs to understand is that the over-board monetary austerity – over-emphasis on policy rate to control inflation – is more a cause than…
Need for revisit of deeply-rooted neoliberal economic policy mindset
In his visit to China, with PM and some other cabinet members, the finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, while addressing a ceremony in China highlighted that Pakistan will be going into…
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…
Pakistan’s economic reckoning
The annual and spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank (WB) are key events for the global economic community. These meetings, attended by high-level officials…
EFF programme, non-inflationary economic growth, and counter-cyclical policy approach
A recent ‘Transcript of Global Financial Stability Report April 2024 press briefing’, carried a rather very pertinent question regarding a possible need to revisit policy focus traditionally to control inflation…
Provincial economic policy
As the new provincial governments are finding their feet in a rather very difficult economic environment, it is important to fix the problems at the root. This means setting aside…
Debt, inequality and austerity
‘In most western countries, inequality is rising, and social mobility has stalled. Our citizens are losing purchasing power. They are struggling to find a decent job, to buy a proper…
Economic manifestos of major parties: philosophy, vehicles, and goals
Although elections are right around the corner on February 8, leaving little time for discussion on manifestos, the three major political parties – PPP (Pakistan People’s Party), PML-N (Pakistan Muslim…
Rising oligarchic power, ballooning inequality, and the quality of democracy
Decades of Neoliberalism led retreat of regulation, and greater inclusion of private sector to provide essential public goods and services of essential nature has increased corporate power disproportionately both in…
Some important economic policy questions
The first important policy question facing policymakers is how much role aggregate demand plays in determining inflation? This needs a clear presentation of analysis by policymakers, since the way inflation…
