Moving forward after the election
The unexpected results of Pakistan’s twelfth general election, held on February 8, have created both a threat and an opportunity for the country. The threat is one of political deadlock…
Chronicles of an election foretold
The results of the general elections held on February 8 have once again shown that political engineering before or during elections does not help the country or its democracy, which…
‘Economic wars’ and national strength
The seventh annual edition of the ThinkFest literary event was held in Lahore this past weekend. Dr Yaqoob Bangash – whose day job as a historian makes him especially sensitive…
Changing the national narrative
Pakistan has often been seen abroad as a crisis-prone country. That reputation has taken on a new life after the April 2022 parliamentary vote of no-confidence, and the unusual events…
Strategic transformation
Undoubtedly, martial laws are not only illegitimate but also result in numerous distortions that extend beyond politics and permeate into the economy and society. These distortions gradually infiltrate every section…
Impartial accountability of all
Accountability is a key component of effective governance. It not only strengthens the foundations of democracy but also helps towards improving efficiency of government operations. Likewise, transparency provides essential and…
Boosting productivity
Productivity, embodied by the contributions of entrepreneurs, managers, and workers, is a fundamental indicator of an economy's health. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 8 promotes enduring, inclusive, and eco-friendly…
Not one party is revolutionary
Paradoxical though it may sound, politics in Pakistan remain both tantalizingly unpredictable and ridiculously predictable. A prime minister commanding a comfortable majority may be conveniently shown the door, leaving everyone…
Nawaz Sharif’s re-redux
Nawaz Sharif is the proverbial Lazarus of Pakistani politics. He has survived it all: dismissal of government in 1993, military coup d’etat in 1999, disqualification and dismissal in 2017, two…
Navigating deep malaise
Why is corruption so pervasive in Pakistan? Why do civil institutions consistently fail to deliver? Why is there a lack of accountability and action against civil institutions and the bureaucracy,…
