Issues of health
In the run up to Mian Nawaz Sharif’s impending exit from the country on LHC orders, there has been a great deal of virulent criticism on social media over the…
Serious issues in current programme with IMF
Falling among a select list of countries, Pakistan has been a prolonged or frequent user of International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources. Research has indicated that such countries form a strong…
BISP and social protection
The more than ten-year old social protection scheme, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), has survived its second transfer of power since it was launched in 2008 by the PPP government.…
HEC issues final notification to abolish two-year BA/BSc, MA/MSc
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a final direction to all the public and private universities of the country and their affiliated colleges to abolish two-year BA/BSc programme and…
Poverty and social protection
Last week I met with some senior officials of an international financial institution at the Cabinet Division in Islamabad. We discussed, at length, some core issues related to poverty alleviation…
Benefits of social cohesion
SOCIAL indicators have gained significance as critical variables, used to measure sociopolitical strength and the well-being of societies and communities. While academic and research efforts, mainly in developed nations, are…
Governance issues
The discourse on governance being pushed mainly by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) has one major shortcoming – it is apolitical in nature. The cherished goals of rule of law, transparency,…
Social media and elections
For a stable democratic society, the importance of a free and fair election cannot be denied. The credit for raising political awareness among people after a long struggle goes to…
Strengthening growth with social equity
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has developed a new metric of national economic performance as an alternative to GDP - the Inclusive Development Index (IDI) - which focuses on living…
New PM’s approach to economic issues
The newly-elected Leader of the House Shahid Khaqan Abbasi delivered a memorable maiden speech as the country's 26th Prime Minister (including caretakers) by identifying two major issues that continue to plague this…
