The political economy of trade blocs
Time has come for Pakistan to seriously consider just how long it can let security concerns overshadow commercial and economic interests. For over 60...
The investment argument
As debate about the loosening monetary environment’s impact on private sector investment continues, it is important to note that the interest rate regime ensures...
Pak-Iran trade in perspective
The time-honoured and window-seeking allegations of the west towards resource bearing economies, especially in the Middle East, have been the subject of several empathetic...
Giving quality education a chance
Unfortunately, even in the 21st century where excessive media exposure and massive level of globalisation have entirely metamorphosed the concept of change and development...
Indian dichotomy and MFN
The Government of Pakistan has agreed in principle to accord the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. This decision has created debate in...
The flat tax debate
There is a rising crescendo in the US regarding a flat tax system – a policy of income tax which in principle assesses a...
Leasing in Islam
The baseline rule in shari'a is that only those assets that have an inherent usufruct can be leased with the condition that the leased...
Brighter weeks to follow
The opening three days of the ongoing week being the Eid holidays, this was one long weekend stretching over five days on the go....
Economics of political rallies
Electioneering time has arrived once again. The season for big rallies, it seems, has started in real earnest. If there is one clarion call...
None so blind
There’s none so blind as those who refuse to see, taught my financial markets mentor as he warned of ‘the coming financial crash’ (Khaleej...
Money talks but what walks?
While Marxism may not be the ‘way’ for the day, it is an ideal framework for understanding the inherent dynamics under capitalism for those...
A just economic order
Social deprivation amongst a majority of the world’s inhabitant has led to a divide that is now threatening to wipe out the status quo....
The MFN coin and its three sides
The MFN status granted to India and the assortment of ‘hue and cry’ and ‘buoyant sanguinity’ that engulfs it, is one of those classic...
Why takaful has not been successful
Insurance is considered prohibited in Islam and some of the objections to conventional insurance are:
(a) The contract of insurance does not pass the criteria...
PIA: A crisis of reputation
PIA is entering another potentially dark chapter, as its corporate image has been badly damaged due to continuous violation of air safety regulations, long...
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Every now and then we hear about our foreign exchange reserves reaching a record high or low, though with not much interest. During a...
An engineered upsurge?
The weekend was book-ended by two days of a massive bull-run, tallying up nearly 600 points (278 on Friday and 309 on Monday) at...
