News

Agriculture: Do export subsidies work?

The recent deaths of collectors of subsidised flour bags and the wheat deliveries protected by armed guards prove the country’s unrest. This poses a huge question for economists, analysts and policymakers regarding extensive subsidies on wheat and other crops when they create such a crisis. Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, president of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, in his press conference last week, demanded

CORPORATE WINDOW: The price tag of a terror attack

The ghastly terror attack in Peshawar last week traumatised Pakistanis. Besides the tragic loss of lives and property, it reminded people of their persistent vulnerability. Terrorism and operations to counter the threat cost Pakistan dearly. The efforts to rid the country of this menace have yet to succeed. The nation compromised on other pressing priorities for years to finance counter-terrori

The potential to fuel the new industrial age

In the longer term, the investment potential in Pakistan is huge,” says Alfred Grannas, the German Ambassador to Pakistan. In an informal interview at Dawn‘s head office, the ambassador outlined the country’s potential for exporting hydrogen. “Pakistan has potential for wind and hydropower. It is one of the most promising things that can be built up to a large scale — hydrogen generated through

Centre blocks Punjab’s Rs400bn health insurance scheme

Amid challenging engagements with international lending agencies to unlock external flows for the balance of payments and flood recovery, the Centre has cast off Punjab’s Rs400 billion health insurance scheme in its present form and size, targeting the entire population of the province, including the rich and the poor. The project, named “Implementation of Universal Health Coverage under Health

Oil prices edge higher as IEA’s Birol talks up China demand outlook

Oil prices inched up in early trade on Monday after falling around eight per cent last week to more than three-week lows as jitters over major economies outweighed signs of a demand recovery in China, the world’s top oil importer. Brent crude futures crawled up 16 cents, or 0.2pc, to $80.10 a barrel at 0022 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 15 cents, also 0.2pc high