The LNG scam or non-scam?
LNG is again in the news; firstly a high-level Pakistani delegation went to Qatar in the hope of getting a direct and concessionary LNG deal from government of Qatar; secondly,…
Predictable programme
So the inevitable has transpired. Heralded by some chestthumping theatrics on `negotiating only on our terms` we have signed our 20th IMF programme since the late 1950s. Although the IMF…
Needed selfless saints in the economy
Saints are supposed to be selfless. That statement has a presumption of truth in it. The reverse has to be proved. The elections and Jambooriat not jamhooriyat has won. Now…
Circular debt and the economic eco-system
Reading a recent leader story in this paper about the government's intention to issue $5 billion worth of T-Bills/PIB's in lieu of the circular debt has prompted me to write…
Managing the natural gas crisis
The dual menace of power and gas shortage is a serious issue that has caused much damage to the national economy and is likely to damage more, if the right…
Monster machines fan out on US farms facing slow sow
With the US spring planting season off to a historically slow start, an increasing number of farmers are counting on powerful tools to catch up: Monster machines that sow 36…
Is Pakistan sinking?
The question of Pakistan’s viability as a state is at least as old as the country itself. Recently a sobering article written by a former American ambassador to Pakistan has…
Bribing the citizenry
Nearly half of the American states have legalised the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Frustrated with the uncontrolled use of the illicit drug, Americans are now debating whether to…
Long haul ahead for Britain’s struggling economy
When the financial crisis began to spread five years ago, British coffee machine-maker Fracino raced to get ahead of it. From the firm's base in Birmingham, it carved out new…
Inequality in society
With elections approaching, the usual claims from incumbent political parties of being pro-poor and even ‘revolutionary’ have increased in both frequency and amplitude. Notwithstanding their magnificent promises of ending corruption,…
