Tax the rich
The Human Development Report 2013 just released by the United Nations Development Programme highlights the rise of the Global South, comprising 130 developing countries, as the main drivers of the…
The care that needs taking
Caretaker government is a funny name. Caretaker. A government ostensibly charged to care for the nation betwixt the time that one has completed its term and another is elected? Caretaker.…
Power tariffs: Role of competition and transparency – I
This appears to be an electricity generation tariff setting season, for at least three major tariff proposals are being reviewed by Nepra, apart from smaller applications. It may be useful…
Financial tsunami
Political tsunami, as popularised by Imran Khan, is now well-known in Pakistan. What is not known is ‘financial tsunami’, which has struck Pakistani shores in the last two weeks. This…
Dual nationality
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is engaged in drafting and seeking approval where required, of a set of rules for prospective candidates, some based on court decisions, for the…
The hidden economy
Going by the numbers alone, it would appear that no significant economic activity takes place west of the Indus. Look at the provincial GDP numbers, the revenue figures and you…
A refreshing breeze
Following a splendid lunch of char-grilled pomfret and chili crabs I was lying with our beach hut behind me on the sand facing the shimmering ocean. On one side the…
The care they can take
The constitution is silent on the precise role of the caretaker government. There is a general agreement that the caretaker setup should not take any action that favors one political…
Missing the target
There are too many large untargeted subsidies in Pakistan that are wasting a lot of resources due to their untargeted nature. The wheat subsidy goes to all the people who…
Dealing with the devil
If the loss of a Pakistani life is the ultimate damage inflicted upon this country, then the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been far more devastating than any other enemy of…
