The road forward
Pakistan today faces a myriad of problems that range from poor governance systems, lack of proper long-term planning, uncontrolled increase in population, and water shortages to a poor educational system,…
The missing ingredients in Pakistan
Since the 18thCentury, one country after another has experienced what Harvard economist Rostow called a “take off into sustained growth”. Rostow stated that, every once in a while, something happens…
Nationalise the IPPs
In Gordium, the capital of Phrygia (ancient Greece), legend had it that whoever could untie an oxcart tied by a complex knot would rule all Asia. Famously, in 333 BCE,…
Biden doubles down on emerging markets as Xi snubs G20
US President Joe Biden arrives at this weekend’s Group of 20 (G20) meeting in India with an offer for the “Global South”: whatever happens to China’s economy, the United States…
Investment-friendly Pakistan?
The Pakistani ruling elite routinely makes tall claims about attracting massive investment that it believes can transform the country. Sections of media instantly jump on this narrative, spreading it on…
Economic pragmatism vs ideological rigidity
Compare last week’s newspaper headlines with those from the 1990s and it would seem that little has changed in Pakistan’s economic circumstances. Currently, as in the 1990s, the country is…
Heavy indebtedness & power sector crisis
In terms of new commitments, the Government of Pakistan signed new agreements, worth USD 7,228 million, during the period under review. These commitments comprised financing agreements signed with foreign commercial…
Cotton ‘crisis’: challenges, opportunities, and way forward–I
Stagnation in Pakistan’s rural economy has been ongoing over the last decade for a multitude of reasons. The lackluster performance of cotton has contributed significantly to this. The cotton sector,…
Anatomy of ‘Debt Management Strategy’
Pakistan’s persistent fiscal imbalance has cast a negative shadow on the overall economic scenario. Unless significant and enduring fiscal reforms are initiated and implemented with full vigour, the likelihood of…
Economic challenges: timely actions needed
The coalition government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is approaching completion of its tenure in the next few days. While presenting their last budget for the current fiscal year…
