The August 5 Bangladesh revolution shows that repressive and corrupt regimes have no future in the new political order being defined by the repressed yet ambitious youth. The sooner all concerned in Pakistan learn this lesson, the better. Since former prime minister Hasina Wajid headed a corrupt and repressive regime, even the appreciable economic progress Bangladesh made during her time could
Two recognised main areas of macroeconomics are long-term economic growth and short-term business cycles. Macroeconomics helps evaluate the resources and capabilities of an economy, churn out ways to increase the national income, boost productivity, and create job opportunities. In recent decades, inequality has emerged as a core issue in economic development and growth. Human capital is seen a
The government has decided in principle to limit the powers of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) and form a new, independent body specifically tasked with overseeing the pricing of life-saving drugs. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) has expressed optimism that the proposed regulatory body will expedite the resolution of pending drug pricing cases and
Privatisation Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Sunday termed the national flag carrier “a white elephant”, claiming it had caused a loss of Rs830 billion to the national exchequer, so far. Speaking at a footwear exhibition in Lahore, he said that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was a burden on the government, but was quick to point out that the process of its privatisation was progressing sm
The government is considering a mechanism to impose a price equalisation levy, or surcharge, on wellhead gas to cross-subsidise protected residential consumers and industrial sectors, with an aim to relieve a Rs10-15 billion burden from the federal budget on account of annual subsidies enjoyed by the sector. The initiative is part of petroleum sector reforms under the Integrated Energy Plan, dr