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The yellow brick road of startups

As a journalist who transitioned from covering sports to business in Pakistan, I have seen the country bask in global recognition for its many achievements. Pakistan still holds the record for the highest number of titles in the British Open, once considered the de facto world championship in squash. It dominated hockey for decades and still holds the highest number of World Cup titles. Who could

Inflationary success — an illusion in real terms

Only real gentlemen can win the hearts of proud, beautiful women. Only economic wizards can dare court price stability. Reaching the goal takes years of honest, patient, persistent actions. Honesty and perseverance count at every stage of taming inflation just as they count in a true love-affair journey. Inflation in Pakistan has eased off because of the high base of last year, partial pass-off

Welcome to the Stone Age: Pakistan ranked second by the duration of shutdowns in 2024 at 1,861 hours behind only Myanmar

Any Pakistani regularly interacting with foreigners has probably learned the art of navigating difficult questions, be they about the state of our democracy, human rights, or security. It’s far from a comfortable conversation with lots of context and occasional whataboutery. But for the most part, it’s all small talk with nothing of actual consequence. Or at least it was until recently. Over th

New year likely to start with hike in diesel prices

Owing to impact of oil prices in international market, the prices of high-speed diesel (HSD), kerosene and light diesel oil (LDO) are estimated to increase by about Rs4 to Rs5 per litre on New Year’s Eve, for the first fortnight of 2025. However, informed sources said, the ex-depot price of petrol was estimated to be range-bound, swinging either way with a Re1 per litre change, depending on fin

Consensus on economy essential for growth

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurang­zeb said the country’s economy has been put on the right track, with inflation reduced to five per cent, and called on stakeholders to reach a consensus on key economic issues to ensure sustainable stability. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Judgewala Chak, Kamalia, on Sunday, the minister said that rice exports had increased, and remittances, which sto