Sub-imperialism of BITS
In the 1990s, newly industrialized countries (NICs) were pointed out as role models for developing countries. For the last few years, Brazil, India, Turkey and South Africa (BITS) have emerged…
Back to the cold war?
The US and the European Union have come out with fresh economic curbs on Russia in a bid to bring it to heel over the Ukrainian crisis. Does the Washington-Moscow…
Uneasy partners
There appears to be no shortage of books published in America these days that warn of China’s looming challenge to the US or of its approaching ‘domination of the world’.…
Humbug and provocation
Even in circumstances of dire danger there is the occasional chance of a laugh, although it might be a trifle hollow. In the case of the so-called ‘crisis’ in Ukraine,…
Legality of withholding of sales tax refunds
A claimant who was engaged in the manufacture and subsequent export of textile products filed application for refund of his input tax. In order to produce these marketable goods he…
Budget 2014-15: Essential tax reforms – I
"If we want lower taxes for growth, then spending must be curtailed so that governments won't need so much money. The next time you hear a politician promise another tax…
Port development in Pakistan
Port benefits are increasingly distributed across different actors and concern a geography that transcends the local community. This trend skews the assessment of the benefits of port investments, where the…
Ramshackle policies and compromises
Why is Pakistan under siege? If this siege is to be done away with what is likely to be the outcome for the population. Has the political system any role…
‘En attendant Godot’ – Europe waiting for France
As President Francois Hollande goes through the French mid-term ritual of sacking his government and appointing a new one, promising a dynamic "fresh start" after a local election drubbing, Europe…
Franco-German thinkers offer Euro-treaty alternative
Do intellectuals matter in politics? To judge by the short-term crisis management and late-night bailouts by governments in the euro zone turmoil of the last four years, it is tempting…
