Frank F Islam

At this point in time, on March 25, the only thing that can be said with any certainty regarding the Coronavirus pandemic is there is no certainty about how and when it will end or what its exact impact will be for Pakistan, other nations and the world. There are observations, however, that can be […]

On Saturday, February 29, the United States and the Taliban signed a peace agreement between the two entities in Afghanistan. This agreement presents the potential opportunity to end the longest war in U.S. history. There is much uncertainty, however, as to whether it will be consummated. There is no uncertainty, on the other hand, that […]

The 2019 Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) which ranks 180 countries based on “perceived levels of public sector corruption” released last week revealed that “a majority of countries are showing little to no improvement in tackling corruption.” Pakistan falls into this category. It received a CPI score of 32 in 2019 and a ranking […]

In January 2020, India, the US, and the world, need more peace, love and healing. We need a renewal and a reawakening of our better angels. Those of us who understand this must hear the voices of King and Gandhi and step forward to “walk in the light” and to “be the change”. Martin Luther […]

Pakistan-India relations in 2019 were extremely rocky. At year’s end, trade and diplomatic ties were attenuated. Bilateral relations were probably in the worst condition of this decade. In November, there was a little cause for optimism that there might be a potential thawing of the relations. That was because of the opening of the Karpartur […]

From a collective point of view, resolving regulatory issues faced by local and foreign investors is the key; and the government grants for investment in early-stage startups are vital for reducing chances of failure.  Ongoing measures – including tax reforms, improving legislation for local fund registration and licensing, catering payment issues as well as flow […]

Though Pakistan has recently improved its ranking in World Bank Doing Business Index 2020, jumping up 28 positions to 108 out of 190 countries, still various reports indicate that large number of Pakistani small and medium enterprises (SMEs) collapse at very early stages after their startup. But it would be helpful to review the startup […]

From a collective point of view, resolving regulatory issues faced by local and foreign investors is the key; and the government grants for investment in early-stage startups are vital for reducing chances of failure. Ongoing measures – including tax reforms, improving legislation for local fund registration and licensing, catering payment issues as well as flow […]

Though Pakistan has recently improved its ranking in World Bank Doing Business Index 2020, jumping up 28 positions to 108 out of 190 countries, still various reports indicate that large number of Pakistani small and medium enterprises (SMEs) collapse at very early stages after their startup. But it would be helpful to review the startup […]

On November 9, 2019, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor in a ceremony at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. This Corridor will allow Indian Sikh pilgrims without a visa to visit the Gurdwara which is the last resting place of Nanak Dev, the founding guru of the Sikh religion. At the inauguration of […]