Reclaiming Fata
RECENTLY, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Operation Zarb-i-Azb would continue till peace and tranquillity were permanently restored to Fata. The director general of ISPR, however, was more specific when…
Menace of narco-terrorism
Every survey made since promulgation of Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979 ["Hadd Order"] shows that this nation has been persistently sinking deeper into narco-terrorism-a term signifying the drug-terror trap.…
Harsh, though denied realities
Last week, a report released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) disclosed that, globally, the rich-poor gap is now as wide as it was in the 1820s.…
Time for change
Last week, in an article in the Financial Times, columnist Victor Mallet concluded that Pakistan's phenomenal population growth rate (3.8 children per women), not politics, threatens Pakistan. At this growth…
IMF and FBR
International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its Third Review under the 1Extended Arrangement for Pakistan, has noted significant shortfall in revenue measures from the original programme objectives. The IMF2 says that…
The ‘receipt’
There is no intimidating message written on the small donation receipts being distributed among shopkeepers of an apparent safe and upscale neighbourhood of Karachi during the closing days of the…
Social contract
There are many theories about the origin of the state and its role in the life of its citizens. One view is that the state is inherently an oppressive institution,…
Budget 2014-15: Reforming sales tax system – I
Taxation should serve as a catalyst for industrial expansion and economic growth. In Pakistan the ill-directed, illogical, regressive and unfair tax regulations are causing a dampening effect on the industrial…
Democratic times: Economic decision-making
There is always a lot going for democracy but its institutions have sooner or later had to deliver or face the breakdown of social contract. A social contract is not…
How do I fool thee?
The assault on the innocent and unsuspecting people of Pakistan continues in ever ingenious and innovative ways. The new drama series, ‘clash of institutions’, is just another weapon in this…
