In times of uncertainty
The term “national security” is heard often but there is little comprehension of its integral component, the concept of national security uncertainty. This refers to the presence of ill-defined or…
Our informal economy
According to the growth diagnostics framework I discussed in one of my previous articles, high taxation is one of the potential candidates for becoming a binding constraint to economic growth…
The Breivik verdict
Norway is a small country with a population of just under five million. It is prosperous, healthy, has 100 percent literacy rate, a parliamentary democracy and a much-loved royal family.…
Oslo Forum – choosing mediation over force
Every year since 1993, the Oslo Forum is held in the capital of Norway to bring together peacemakers and discuss issues of conflict resolution. It is an interesting networking experience…
A western ‘un-spring’
Tragedy in Norway, conflagration in Britain, sovereign meltdown in Europe, impasse, foreboding, downgrade and a deep sense of decline in the US: welcome to the West’s ‘autumn’? Given the magnitude…
Under the Af-Pak club knife
Almost 15 countries, including the US, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Spain, France, Australia, Japan and Italy, have appointed special envoys to advise on how to help Pakistan sail…
Terrorism, fear and spirituality
Every day in the newspapers we find reports of bomb blasts and people being killed. We see so much intolerance - whether it is Norway, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or…
No iPad in heaven
Saadat Hasan Manto’s birth anniversary (in May this year) offered his fans an opportunity to re-discover the great writer. While some sane heads in the government wisely decided to honour…
Foundations of prosperity
Pakistan is at 107 among a list of 110 countries ranked by the recently released prosperity Index Score 2011 of Legatum Institute. The remaining three were Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and the…
Foundations of prosperity
Pakistan is at 107 among a list of 110 countries ranked by the recently released prosperity Index Score 2011 of Legatum Institute. The remaining three were Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and the…
