Critical appraisal of SBP report
The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) report for the first half of the current financial year reiterated its unconditional support for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme conditions – a…
A tale of two horses
Unfortunately, the exact quote, which by the way succinctly brings out the message, cannot be published – blame it on the censor board. Be that as it may, the more…
Illicit trade in tobacco products — II
19.1 percent of Pakistani population, which includes 31.8 percent of men and 5.8 percent of women, consume tobacco in one form or the other. Among these tobacco consumers, 9.6 percent…
Economy – the least problem
This column, for the last couple of weeks or more, has been building arguments to support the view that the key to Pakistan’s economic growth is directly correlated with the…
Whispering in the dark
Something’s cooking, for sure. This country, proverbially, is sitting on the edge of its seat. And waiting for the endgame to begin. We do not know who is whispering what…
Governing the Bank
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill 2021 sailed through the National Assembly amidst the opposition’s protest. Some of their suggestions were already incorporated in the bill when discussed…
The poverty of wealth
In a country that is impoverished in many more ways than one, there has been talk this week about the wealth that its political leaders possess. But much like the…
Countering financial crimes
In recent days, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken many steps to enforce internal accountability mechanism to uproot corruption/malpractices within the organisation. The steps like making Chief Commissioners as…
Rise in cybercrime
ACCORDING to latest reports, the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) received a total of 102,356 complaints related to cybercrime in the year 2021. This marks a massive increase in reporting by…
Out of the frying pan?
Pakistan’s power sector seems to be a victim of déjà vu. Last year, the nation was gripped by a fuel shortage which hindered electricity production and saw long queues of…
