Pakistani finance ministers!
Pakistan’s economy has reached an impasse yet again and perhaps this played as much of a role in de-seating Imran Khan as did the usual suspects — both within and…
The political battlefield
Last week, crucial economic and political decisions took place in London. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) within the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was getting cold feet. The party leadership probably had…
Political lobotomy
THOSE whom the gods wish to punish, they first make cricketers and then prime ministers. Both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan have played cricket and politics. They have won and…
With capital markets jittery, private equity pounces to finance tech buyouts
When buyout firm Thoma Bravo LLC was seeking lenders to finance its acquisition of business software company Anaplan Inc last month, it skipped banks and went directly to private equity…
Could another finance minister do it better?
Asad Umar is getting a lot of flak. Does the fault lie in his not doing a better job, or lack of viable options? Opinion is divided. Most would allow…
Finance Act 2020
The existing system imposes high taxes but yields low revenues. Only 2000 companies pay 75% of total taxes. The standard sales tax rate is 17% but effective rate, according to…
The ills of microfinance
The conventional wisdom of according an unquestionable role to microfinance in poverty alleviation has recently been challenged partly because there is no strong empirical evidence to establish this simplistic claim.…
Booming Germany can weather political impasse – for now
Germany's robust economy can weather the immediate fallout from Chancellor Angela Merkel's failed coalition talks, experts said Monday, but warned that a lengthy political paralysis could delay much-needed reforms and…
The change at the finance ministry
Finally, the admission – an acceptance that the economy is in a mess. This acceptance is coming from no ordinary person. And surely not from any opposition leader. Shaukat Tareen,…
Season of political challenges
PRIME MINISTER Imran Khan was compelled to seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly following the defeat of his finance minister in the Senate election. He has now secured this…
