Trump II
Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, X.com, and SpaceX, will co-chair the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, is going…
The fragile balance of US-China trade
After decades of facilitating and even encouraging China’s rise, the dramatic shift by the US to a policy of containment could gather pace when Donald Trump takes over on January…
Crypto tech boom
Cryptocurrencies and technology are deeply, deeply intertwined. To be certain, cryptocurrencies and technology are inseparable. Cryptocurrencies can neither exist nor operate without technology. In essence, technology is the lifeblood of…
From ‘Doing Business’ report to ‘B-Ready’ report: some reflections
In a statement released on September 16, 2021, World Bank Group (WBG) indicated discontinuation of its ‘Doing Business’ report, whereby it pointed out ‘After data irregularities on Doing Business 2018…
True riba-free Islamic banking
The motivation to provide interest- (riba) free financial services is derived from the desire of Muslim communities living in the modern age. The general perception of most of the critics…
Pakistan’s economic opportunities in the SCO
Being part of a regional organization greatly benefits countries by improving their global trade position while ensuring sustainable economic development. As Pakistan tries to be a part of regional integration,…
The scientific revolution’s call to rulers
The scientific and technological revolution that began after World War II has fundamentally reshaped global development. Its effects are evident across economies, societies, and international power dynamics. From pioneering innovations…
The burden of inefficiency
I was amazed to discover the profound lack of understanding surrounding the footprint and performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Pakistan upon joining the government. This glaring absence of data…
Towards fiscal & digital reforms
Pakistan has faced significant challenges in balancing the distribution of power and fiscal responsibilities between its federal and provincial governments. The landmark Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, 2010 [18th Amendment] effective…
Bitcoin III
The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins. Bitcoin is an ‘open source censorship-resistant, peer-to-peer immutable network’. Bitcoin is trackable digital gold. Fiat currencies are prone to…
