Riaz Missen

The period from the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century was a difficult era for China, known as the “Century of Humiliation.” In 1839, Great Britain imposed the First Opium War on China to secure rights to the opium trade. As a result of this three-year war, Britain captured Hong Kong and many Chinese ports. […]

The 18th Constitutional Amendment, accompanied by the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, enacted in 2010, marked a significant departure in Pakistan’s federal structure. Its core objective was to bolster provincial governments by augmenting their share of federal revenue to 57.5%. This substantial increase in financial resources was envisaged to trickle down to the grassroots […]

As I dialled my village across the Sutlej River, southwest of Bahawalpur, and inquired about their well-being, a profound response echoed back: “Brother, we’ve turned savage!” This stark description captures the dire state of Pakistan’s rural areas today, revealing not only the current turmoil caused by high input costs for agriculture and low returns but […]

Despite numerous shortcomings and failures of the coalition government, which Shahbaz Sharif headed for a brief period of one and a half years, there was widespread belief at the Pak Secretariat that following the general elections, the gentleman would resume his position as Prime Minister, with Ahsan Iqbal returning as Planning Minister. Despite significant delays, […]

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has hinted at a thorough reassessment of the trade situation with India, echoing the concerns raised by the business community. Speaking at a press conference in London, Dar recalled a pre-budget meeting with the business community where a common plea surfaced: to streamline imports, currently channelled through Dubai or Singapore, to […]

The dynasts have truly showcased their political prowess by orchestrating the general elections, which have been dubbed as the most contentious in Pakistan’s electoral history. Despite facing criticism for their lacklustre performance over sixteen months and the Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI)’s relentless narrative of victimization, they managed to manipulate the electoral process to their advantage. This strategic […]

The dust has settled on Pakistan’s February 8th general elections, but there is an air still thick with controversy. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), entrusted with upholding the very foundations of democracy with fair and transparent elections, stands accused of failing its first and foremost constitutional duty. The harped-about Election Management System (EMS) sputtered […]

In the expansive canvas of Cholistan, adorned with seventeen historical forts and boasting a significant camel and houbara population, a clash between agricultural expansion and the imperative of ecological preservation is unfolding. Punjab has ambitious plans to turn this arid region into a green and agriculturally productive landscape, setting the stage for a delicate balance […]

The government is currently contemplating the exploration of Indus Basin aquifers as a strategic initiative to attract foreign investment and enhance exports, with a primary focus on corporate farming. In addition to boosting foreign exchange reserves and ensuring food security, the Indus Basin aquifers hold the promise of meeting the increasing drinking water needs of […]