News

Illegal forex market may hit exchange rate stability

Currency dealers in the banking market have reported a sharp 50 per cent decline in dollar sales by money changers this month, amid concerns that the grey market has re-emerged, buying dollars at higher prices. Dealers indicated that while remittance inflows remain unaffected, with July witnessing $3.2 billion in transfers, the drop in open market sales could destabilise the exchange rate. M

Mandated morality — the problem with the CSR Bill

According to a Harvard study, when social markets move into the economic realm, people stop acting altruistically and begin engaging in cost-benefit analysis. In one experiment, when parents were fined for picking up their children late from daycare, tardiness ironically increased — and remained high even after fines were discontinued. This phenomenon suggests that monetary incentives corrupt s

Umpteeth time the charm?

As Pakistan navigates its challenges and emerges from diplomatic isolation, the Shehbaz Sharif government now seeks to convert economic stabilisation into inclusive growth to rebuild its political base. Achieving this requires substantial investment in job-creating sectors like agriculture and industry, hence the plan to launch Phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) later this

A country drowned

In the middle of navigating economic disturbance, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Islamabad was more than a routine diplomatic engagement for Pakistan, as it presented an opportunity to secure stronger Chinese financial and strategic support. Yet, even as the country seeks external backing, recent events at home — unprecedented rains and flash floods — have exposed deep-seate

World bank approves $47.9m grant to improve Punjab primary education, enrolment

The World Bank on Monday approved a $47.9 million grant to improve primary education in Punjab, saying the project will expand early childhood schooling, re-enrol out-of-school children and strengthen teacher support. In June, the World Bank has ap­­proved $100m for the “Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan” (GRADES-Balochistan) project, which aimed