Democratic choice?
On June 23, the British public will vote on whether or not to remain in the European Union. Brexit, as it has been termed, is widely considered to be the…
Fundamental tax reforms
A rational tax policy with economic justice holds the key to productive economy Taxation, a potent instrument to shape and influence the socio-economic policies of a country, has not received…
Affairs not so foreign
I read with interest the recent news reports of a dialogue being held in Islamabad on national security, deterrence and regional stability in South Asia. With India and Iran inking…
The shifting baseline
Enroute to Karachi on board a PIA ATR turbo-prop, I reflect on the shifting baseline syndrome as it applies to Pakistan. It’s a three-hour flight, and my cramped seat forces…
Let them eat cake
Perhaps there is no single professional class more useless in the modern world – dominated by the neo-liberal economy – than peasants. According to an anthropologist, the world would barely…
Budgetary outcome 2015-16
Fiscal operations of the federal and provincial governments in the first nine months of 2015-16 have recently been made public. They reveal that the process of stabilisation is apparently proceeding…
Our permanent friend
No relationship between two sovereign states is as unique and durable as that between Pakistan and China. The partnership between the two countries started with the establishment of diplomatic ties…
Mirza Zahirdaar Baig
Nazir Ahmed Dehlavi, famously known as Dipty Nazir Ahmed (‘Dipty’ is morphed from the word ‘deputy’ as the gentleman was a civil servant of the Raj), was a 19th century…
The new great game
In the run up to India’s 2014 General Elections, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi promised ‘achche din’ (good times) and ‘sab ka saath, sab ka vikas’ (inclusive society,…
The London spirit
In the heat of the extraordinary hype over the ethno-religious aspect of the mayoral election in London, the international audiences have largely overlooked the significance of that office – created…
