Startups need actions, not words
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on startups and the immense potential they bring to the economy. The government of Pakistan...
Take the hammer to the rent-seekers
In general, this magazine believes in free markets, which can often mean we advocate for the removal of what we view as unnecessary government...
Why tax-to-GDP is a farce
Pakistan’s economy has been in a chokehold for the past two years. The problem is that there are too many elephants in the room....
For the love of all that is holy, leave the rupee alone! (Editor’s Note)
We were almost there. After letting the rupee lose about a third of its value, albeit begrudgingly, there was hope that the Imran Khan...
Pakistan needs to get out of the comfort zone, end cycle of borrowing
Pakistan is stuck in a repeated cycle of borrowing to pay back money it already owes to other countries. The scary part - it seems like it has become too comfortable with it.
Dealing with the IMF for 25 years
In a television interview a few days ago, Pakistan’s current finance minister boasted that he has been dealing with the IMF for 25 years....
Editor’s Note: PIA’s turnaround effort
It is no secret that Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises are almost invariably badly run, but even by the Government of Pakistan’s atrocious standards, the national...
The challenges at the end of the tunnel
More seasoned governments have failed at these end-of-term difficulties. Will the PTI do any better?
For inspiration for the future, we need only look at the past
What will Pakistan look like in 75 years? There is one version of events that, even if ambitious, can serve as an aspiration at...
The real problem isn’t Cholistan —It’s Pakistan’s shrinking water supply
The Cholistan Canal controversy is not simply about Punjab versus Sindh. It is a symptom of Pakistan’s chronic failure to expand its water infrastructure to meet growing demand
Have we peaked yet?
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) recently hiked interest rates by another 125 basis points, bringing the benchmark policy rate to a nice round...
Defining Sethism
Besides the well-understood issues of capital constraints, budget deficits and lack of planning, the economy is chained by Sethism
The SBP’s rising credibility issue
Justifying its actions has taken a toll on the central bank
The strange tale of a Sindhi folk song and CPEC
“Ho Jamalo, Wa Wah Jamalo” are words that have been ringing in my ears for over three decades. But it was only last week...
Interest rate hiked
The State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee on Wednesday increased the benchmark interest rate 100 basis points, to 21 percent, in an attempt...
