Convoluted expectations
All and sundry continue to protest the lending behaviour of commercial banks and their large `spreads` (the difference between the interest rates on their lending and the interest rate that…
The worst is still to come
With the fifth most turbulent year (2012) in Pakistan’s economic history drawing to a close yesterday, the year 2013 has just begun. Far from being a fresh start, there are…
Question mark on the State Bank’s autonomy
By a quirk of circumstances, the question of the autonomy of the State Bank always makes headlines more than inflation whenever the end of the term is nigh for an…
Physician, heal thyself
AS inflation spirals in Pakistan, the one most seriously affected is the common man. Decent healthcare is said to be beyond the reach of the overwhelming majority. But one man’s…
Visiting Bangladesh
Shrugging off its traditional reliance for foreign-exchange earnings on jute goods and tea, Bangladesh has economically made giant strides, with home remittances and garment manufacturing giving momentum to a whole…
Income Tax Ordinance, 2001
After the Second World War, the provision of advance tax [now encased in section 147 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 [hereinafter "the Ordinance"] was introduced as a measure to…
Rate-easing season?
At its 5th October meeting, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cut the policy rate by 50bps in line with our forecasts, on softening inflation and a current account (C/A)…
IMF policies
The unexpected reduction of discount rate of 150 basis points by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has surprised many. Some view this reduction as inflationary and argue that the…
Political and social matters
At the moment our country is witnessing a bloodbath, and when the rulers are questioned as to why this is happening and why they don’t do anything to stop it,…
Capital suggestion
In February 2010, our exports amounted to $1.52 billion. For the period July-February 2009-2010, foreign remittances landing on Pakistani shores sent in by Pakistanis working abroad amounted to $5.7 billion.…
