On the edge of a cliff
How politicking overrides all other considerations was proved yet again; while the government and the opposition remained focused on the presidential election, the exchange value of the rupee kept sliding…
Same old merry-go-round
THE Pakistan-India dialogue will reportedly resume in the near future following a hiatus imposed by India. Pakistan`s prime minister has expressed keenness to improve relations with India. His special envoy,…
State of higher education
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently published a special report on ‘Higher Education in South Asia’. According to this report, higher education in South Asia is at a crossroads. Driven…
Changing fortunes
The world is changing or – to borrow the Kaptaan’s phrase – it has changed. In 1990, the US accounted for a quarter of the world’s GDP and China only…
National security strategy
National security is divided into state security and societal security. The former is based on territorial security, the latter centred on identity. Globalisation has led to vanishing frontiers and, thus,…
Education emergency
Pakistan faces several developmental challenges that have been left unaddressedfor far too long. Among the most debilitating from the perspective of the economy`s performance over the long run are: unchecked…
Neoliberalism and the Taliban
On the face of things, there could not be a starker, more complete contrast between the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the pro-market, deregulation-heavy politics of the neoliberal state. In world…
Shipbuilding
The origins of this particular write up emanate from a chance encounter with a naval officer, and a gentleman, who in his career had an opportunity to experience commercial as…
Municipal self-governance
In Pakistan, the poor are subjected to heavy and cruel taxation to finance the luxuries of militro-judicial-civil complex and politicians - who enjoy free or concessional perquisites, benefits, including expensive…
Right to information
Nepotism, extortion and bribery have become a way of life, and not just with politicians. Except that in their case it tends to be exhibited more shamelessly. While corruption exists…
