Trade Trends on November 8, 2024Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s recent remarks on the potential of opening multiple border crossings with Afghanistan signal a pragmatic approach to improving the fortunes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and fostering economic integration in South Asia. With years of unrest, security concerns, and socio-political upheaval, KP desperately needs sustainable development. Connecting with Afghanistan and […]
Progress or Pretense? on November 8, 2024Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb says what he should say; in a recent talk, he said Pakistan’s latest macroeconomic indicators offer a hopeful outlook. The statement, however, raises questions about the depth and durability of these improvements. At the eighth edition of “The Future Summit,” Aurangzeb celebrated what he described as positive trends: a stabilising rupee, […]
Population Pakistan on November 6, 2024Despite facing deficit in all walks of life, Pakistan has emerged as a front runner in producing more human. Our ever growing population has become a pressing issue with severe implications for the nation’s economy, resources and social stability. At a recent seminar, experts voiced grave concerns over the government’s lack of effective policies to […]
Stable Tenures on November 5, 2024This is an important institutional shift: the parliamentary amendment extends the tenure of the military service chiefs from three to five years. This adjustment, moving beyond the interests of any single person, represents a maturing approach in policy that puts institutional needs above personal preferences. If history is any guide, such changes were often viewed […]
Crime Drop on November 5, 2024Believe it or not, recent police data suggests a significant drop in crime in Lahore, with a 46 percent reduction in heinous crimes reported in October 2024 compared to the same month last year. This decline, based on emergency helpline 15 data, highlights the potential impact of targeted policing and strategic planning. However, the real […]
Jail Fail on November 4, 2024What comes to our minds when the word ‘jail’ is uttered to us? Of course, an under-resourced facility overcrowded with hardened criminals and innocent people. The dire need for jail reform came under discussion in a recent high-level session chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi. This is a promising sign that the […]
Judicial Jam on November 4, 2024The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice recently approved a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 25. The government has proposed this as a solution to alleviate the mounting backlog in the Supreme Court, where nearly 60,000 cases await resolution. High courts and lower courts across Pakistan are […]
Smog Emergency on November 3, 2024Blame Diwali celebrations, bribes from pollution-causing industries or the bustling labyrinth of private transports, no one – not even the fiercest of climate deniers – can close eyes to Lahore, a city known for its rich history and vibrant culture, is currently facing a dire and alarming situation – a smog emergency a curt of […]
A Failed Exercise on November 3, 2024As powerbrokers in Islamabad scratch their heads, wondering how to damage control after a long-drawn-out and full-of-thunder process to privatise PIA fell flat on its face, a smug look on experts exclaims: We told you so. The potential sale of 60 per cent of PIA shares stopped in its tracks after piquing the interest of […]
Mastung Massacre on November 2, 2024The Friday bomb blast in Mastung unmasked the ruthless face of terrorism in Balochistan as among the nine deceased are five young children. Even the most vulnerable are not spared by militants. The Friday blast took place near the Mastung Civil Hospital in which an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near a police vehicle, reportedly […]