Colonisation and extractive institutions on September 15, 2018Historically, when the colonisers took over parts of Africa and Asia- they were fundamentally building extractive and exploitative institutions. Such is the case of South Africa, where the riches of their country were restricted from them, only to be taken by their coloniser. For example, South African settlers had property rights; they invested in education, […]
Imran Khan’s Reform Agenda on August 31, 2018Imran Khan’s first address to the nation as the Prime Minister has kindled hope. Delivering on promises is quite a challenge. There are many a slips between the cup and the lips. Imran’s performance and that of his appointed cabinet will tell if charity begins at home. The idea of a welfare state and Pakistan […]
Elections — the game of numbers on August 20, 2018Dissenting opinions are necessary in a functional democracy. Freedom of expression is a prerequisite in a democratic set-up. Don’t let anyone manipulate and label individuals as anti-state when they are in fact sincerely offering views for the good of the people. What is good for the people is good for the state. Valid assumptions, based […]
Let us start on a positive note on August 14, 2018Bravo Imran Khan. The real task for you starts now. Good luck on the road to a New Pakistan. Nothing is more important than restoring the positive image of Pakistan. We take pride in our institutions and national public enterprises. Pakistan was never in so much of a mess as it is today, lurching from […]
What makes a leader? on July 9, 2018For free and fair elections, the electorate has to refuse to be manipulated. The major consideration should be the performance of the electables. The achievers need to be voted into political power to let the process of development and advancement move forward. Objectivity was essential regarding the role of the judiciary and investigating agencies in […]
Fear of losing political power on July 2, 2018Research and results on ground have indicated that it is man-made political and economic institutions that underlie economic success. What is ultimately required is a society that creates incentives, rewards innovation and allows everyone to participate in economic opportunities. The economic success is sustained because the government is held accountable and responsive to its citizens. […]
Can bureaucracy be completely neutral on June 26, 2018Massive administrative changes have been approved for Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan Provinces, while similar changes are expected to be made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The changes proposed by the caretaker federal and provincial governments were approved by the Election Commission. The objective of the decision is to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The move comes […]
Our economic development must conquer its Goliath on June 19, 2018The caretaker government is facing economic challenges on the international and domestic fronts. It will miss the targets of the budget and current account deficits by a wide margin during the outgoing fiscal year 2018. To lay the basis for an examination of those aspects of budgeting that are most important for economic development, it […]
Pakistan’s future needs free and fair elections on June 12, 2018It is time to look ahead, time to find a way towards progress. It is not the right moment to waste time on trivialities but to focus on real issues instead. Move on with the past with a fresh zeal and resolve to address what the country confronts now. Leave space and time for the […]
The path to the 2018 elections on June 6, 2018Free and fair elections ought to be about competing on who has the best ideas and solutions to the miseries, coercion, backwardness, bigotries, anarchy and abuse that people face. The purpose of elections should be to promote a democratic way of life, to think and to act without fear and without undue pressure from any […]