Ahmed S Cheema

Countries face a plethora of historic challenges and uncertainties which will influence the global economic landscape, reshape world order and impact economic growth. These forces offer both opportunities and risks for policymakers and business investors alike. Understanding them is critical for navigating today’s complex political and economic landscape. The first key issue is the massive […]

Every February, thousands of aspiring candidates take the Central Superior Services examinations administered by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). In a week, they sit for a series of tough exams, often two per day. Of the 22,000 plus candidates who applied in 2020, barely 2.11 percent cleared the entire process. Candidates select 11 to […]

Pakistan has had long-standing relationships with Saudi Arabia and Iran, two key regional players that have been at loggerheads with each other. Pakistan has historically close ties with Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has frequently helped Pakistan wither difficult economic hardships, has invested in Pakistan’s economy and is home to millions of Pakistani expatriates who rely […]

Since 2008, Pakistan has been grappling with an acute energy crisis that has hindered economic growth, stalled development, prevented industrialization, reduced productivity and increased unemployment. During the past decades, the country’s power sector has been facing significant challenges, primarily due to the shortage of electric supply, resulting in load shedding and power outages. Electric demand […]

Over the last two years, 1.5 million Pakistanis have emigrated in search of better prospects. The country faces the spectre of highly skilled individuals leaving for greener pastures – a brain drain on steroids. The loss of talented professionals, scientists and intellectuals have significant repercussions for the country’s socio-economic growth. Many developing countries struggle with […]

Anthropogenic activity has increased carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere to unprecedented levels; approximately 414 parts per million just last year. Fossil fuel consumption for electricity, transport, heating and industry contributes 3.7 gigatons of CO2 annually. Consequently, global warming devastates our climate, demonstrated recently by heat waves in Europe and flooding in South Asia. […]

In August 2021, China completed an experimental Thorium-based nuclear reactor in the Gobi Desert. If the tests underway are successful, the Chinese plan on following up with another reactor capable of powering 100,000 houses. India, which has the largest proven reserves of Thorium, plans to generate 30% of its electricity via Thorium by 2050. The […]

No on is addressing the long-term consequences of the Ukrainian conflict: expect a world where security guarantees are worthless, nuclear disarmament is inconceivable and countries expand their nuclear stockpiles. On October 19, Vladimir Putin formally declared martial law in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, four Ukrainian regions Russia annexed last month. This measure tightens Russia’s […]

The decision by OPEC+ to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day indicates that there might be strains in the US – Saudi relationship. The proposed cut would increase oil prices globally, distress consumers during the winter and propel the global economy towards a recession. Industrialized countries would face an economic slump but […]