Economy Archive

Pakistan, theatre of U.S energy war–by Shiraz Paracha: As the theatre of the U.S initiated war moves to Pakistan the Pakistani military feels cornered and its commanders are looking for internal unity and reaching out to new and old foreign friends. Interestingly, perhaps for the first time,
Sharif Family Businesses use Judiciary to avoid paying taxes! Bravo: While the PML-N Chief is right now speaking about corruption in Pakistan after his condolence meeting with President Asif Zardari, we are pleased to highlight one news item that has caught our attention. According to The News, the allies
Pervez Musharraf: Butcher of democracy or architect of development? – Dr. Niaz Murtaza: The dismal situation today is feeding nostalgia for Musharraf. Was his rule worth it? Not for democracy-idealists like me! However, since many people can tolerate dictatorships if they deliver, I consider this question pragmatically. Even pragmatically, dictatorship cannot be
Question to Jang/Geo: It is fair to say that the most innocent in Pakistan are the media and their masters who treat them as puppets. We have the likes of Syed Talat Hussain, Javed Chaudhry, Hamid Mir, Ansar Abbasi, Kamran Khan, Mushtaq
Pakistan: Impaled on the horns of an economic dilemma – by Dr. Niaz Murtaza: Pakistan’s economy is currently afflicted by two problems requiring diametrically opposite remedies: economic stagnation, which dictates expansionary policies, and inflation caused by a fiscal gap, which requires contractionary policies. Pakistan thus suffers from stagflation. Given their conflicting remedies, should
Prophets of Doom – by Dr. Niaz Murtaza: Pakistan is probably the country whose demise is predicted most frequently and nervously. David Kilcullen, an American-based guerrilla warfare expert, wrote the most apocalyptic (and inaccurate!) obituary back in 2009: collapse within months. Political scientists, wiser than narrowly-focused warfare
Pakistan export boom will not repair economy: With Thanks : Daily Times Experts say gain is fragile in face of uncertain security, unending power crisis, rising oil prices, high fiscal deficit KARACHI: After a year of unemployment and wondering if his family would be better off
Challenging the status quo: Tough decisions need to be made – by Ali Wahab: Source: The Express Tribune There are two broad types of decisions – a decision that yields good results or a decision that goes bad. When a decision yields good results, the management reinforces it strategies to ensure continuation. In
Differentiating between Propaganda and Facts III – Automotive Sales up 11% despite high prices: Relevant Reading: Differentiating between Propaganda and Facts I – Exports show biggest growth in history Differentiating between Propaganda and Facts II – Remittances touch USD 6.96 billion, up 20% If one reads the newspapers, watches the news, listens to
Differentiating between Propaganda and Facts II – Remittances touch USD 6.96 billion, up 20%: If one reads the newspapers, watches the news, listens to our right wing media anchors and follows the proceedings in the courts, it seems that Pakistan is sliding on fast pacing downhill slope. On the other hand, there is
Differentiating between Propaganda and Facts I – Exports show biggest growth in history: If one reads the newspapers, watches the news, listens to our right wing media anchors and follows the proceedings in the courts, it seems that Pakistan is sliding on fast pacing downhill slope. On the other hand, there is
The Pakistan conundrum – by Dr Syed Sarosh: Benighted sentiments must not be used as an excuse by the Pakistani state to shy away from its human rights responsibilities including the protection of religious minorities . The government must make a clear distinction between raw and unruly
Paying your way: Corruption, a necessary evil? by Ali Wahab: Published: Express Tribune, February 28, 2011 From the very outset, let me be very clear that corruption, kickbacks, facilitation money etc are not condonable; however, being realistic, it cannot be done away so easily through either a law or
Economic Revival is Survival – By Imran Qadir Butt: In the world of business and investment perception plays a vital role in the feasibility of an investment or a business initiative. It is so important a phenomenon that it can transform any given event or change in business
Another economic crisis? – by S. Akbar Zaidi: Dawn, February 4, 2011 THE problem with making arguments and stating opinions which go against the grain of what passes as current conventional wisdom is that this comes with a huge baggage of issues. Often, contrary views are misconstrued,
Revolution in Pakistan? It’s the economy, stupid! – by Imran Qadir Butt: Related articles: Let’s agitate for regime change in Pakistan: Tunisia and Egypt style Let’s have a revolution in Pakistan: Yeh, Yeh, Yeh! – by Razzak Memon I once heard someone quoting someone from the past to explain revolution as
Putting prisoners to work – by Ali Wahab: Express Tribune Published: January 31, 2011 Pakistan has a large number of offenders in jails who can be put to good use. DESIGN: S.JAMAL When I was in university nearly a decade ago, we could use China in a
Thieves protecting thieves? I am confused: Related Article: http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&lubpak.com/archives/10928 Here are some facts: Geo TV, Geo News, Geo Super and Aag TV, owned and operated by Jang Group’s Independent Media Group are known to be tax evaders. Off course, their tax evasion till June 2010
LUBP Interview with Olaf Kellerhoff, Resident Representative Pakistan at Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: Related Interviews:   LUBP Exclusive: A critical interview with Nadeem F. Paracha LUBP Interview with Kamran Shafi LUBP Interview with Dr Ayesha Siddiqa (Part I) LUBP Interview with Dr Ayesha Siddiqa (Part II)   Brief Introduction: LUBP is pleased
“Impose tax on agriculture, not RGST: Altaf”: MQM chief has suggested that government should instead propose an agricultural tax, instead of RGST. MQM, along with some opposition parties, have argued that RGST is a regressive tax, as it affects poor more than rich. As such this
Holding the economy hostage – By Khurram Husain: Don’t believe the hype. This is not about protecting the poor from inflation, or stopping corruption. This is about one thing only: blood. Let me explain. The opposition to the government’s attempts to introduce a value added tax (VAT)
Now that is what you call a “top-spin”! Jang and The News at it again – by Ahmed Iqbalabadi:  According to a top headline in 11th December’s Jang and The News, public’s trust in government has plummeted as Rs. 60 billion withdrawn from Defense Saving Schemes. Now, we all know about the credentials of Jang and The News
Time to let go Mr. Bond – by Sindhyar Talpur: Government of Pakistan is currently trying to introduce a RGST, a reformed General Sales Tax. One can't help but think that as so much of energy is being put into reforming tax system and increase revenue. Government may be
Leaks show US government always knew that Pakistan was misusing US taxpayers’ money -by Dr. Azeem Ibrahim: The deal President Bush struck with Pakistan’s General Musharraf seemed straightforward enough: Pakistan would fight terrorists, and the US would pay for it. Islamabad promised to train, equip, and deploy its army and intelligence service in counter-terrorism operations. Washington
Pakistan doubles export soft loan Sri Lanka: By Santhush Fernando in Colombo Colombo, 30 November, (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lanka and Pakistan delegates have who concluded the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Forum in Colombo today (29.11.2010) agreed on drastic measures that would increase economic ties between the two nations significantly.
Pak economy heading towards hyperinflation – by Shaukat Masood Zafar: A hyperinflation is mainly caused when there is excessive, drastic growth in the supply of paper money. As the destruction of currency reaches its peak, hyperinflation happens. In Pakistan monetary and fiscal authorities are regularly issuing large quantities of
Pakistan sinking in a sea of debt – by Shaukat Masood Zafar: During the previous couple of years, Pakistan’s economy is constantly falling into the debt trap, consisting of both domestic and foreign loans, causing financial hardship, joblessness, decrease in personal income and high cost of living for a common man,
Taxation, politics and buzurgwar Nawaz Sharif – by Ali Raja: If you ever happen to visit Punjab and intend to communicate, I just might be able to give you a valuable piece of advice. Whenever you see an elderly fellow, with a crooked back, walking with a stick, do
The flood tax and our responsibilities – by Amjad Rashid: Government of Pakistan has imposed a new tax on the behalf of flood victims and there is not a good reaction in public for this new tax. Pakistan is a poor country where majority is lower middle class &
Western information contradicts facts – by Shiraz Paracha: Five years ago, when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in the United States, the rich and affluent people of the city escaped in big cars, leaving behind hundreds and thousands of mostly poor African Americans to drown and die.
Reforms in economy: now or never – by Shaukat Masood Zafar: No state can exist without taxation. Pakistan is running on empty pockets and is under extreme pressures, internal and external. The state does not have the economic resources to provide even essential services to the masses, leading to disaffection,
Why Obama bows to the Chinese – by Sindhyar Talpur: foreword: Apologies if this essay seems to be simplistic in nature, however this essay is meant to be basic in its content. It is part of an endeavor by LUBP to highlight economic situation around the world, its effects
How remittances can aid development – by Ali Wahab: Express Tribune, 1st November 2010 Remittances sent by expatriates have traditionally played a key role in the development of economies back home. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia rely heavily on workers’ remittances and so does Pakistan.
Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserve hits $16.9 billion: Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserve climbs to record $16.99 billion in the week ending on October 1st, up from $16.79 billion held previous week, the State Bank of Pakistan announced on Thursday. State Bank spokesman Wasimuddin told the media, “the
A compelling case for investors – by Ali Wahab: Source: Express Tribune, October 4, 2010 Towards the end of 2006, Dubai was an investor’s (read: speculator’s) paradise. The stock market was recovering after a correction in the beginning of 2006 and the property market was like hot cakes.
Tough economic decisions: I have great respect for Dr. Ishrat Husain for his focused work as Governor State Bank for a good 6 years. His continuity in the position and steadfastness of policy not only turned State Bank into a credible organization
Our expats: The Pakistanis living abroad, Part 2 – by Fawad Manzoor: In the original article( click here) I wrote about the negative contributions of our Ex-Pats with few positive ones. I was expecting the editor will hesitate in posting the article but I am glad he posted. I am also surprised that I
Guilty if you are a Jiyala, Innocent if you are a Sharif: When it comes to passing judgments against politicians in relation to “krupt” practices, PPP and its members are declared guilty by the media and the general public. When it comes to calling a spade, a spade, media selectively  talks
Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen’s book A Tax Break For Economic Freedom is now available online: The Case of Divorced Mothers, Divorced, Disabled and Never Married (above 40 years) Pakistani Women – a Civic Entrepreneur’s Perspectives is now available. Read Book Online Dr. Rakhshinda Perveen, the founder of creativeangerbyrakhshi has over 17 years of diverse
Low-cost housing: a viable option? by Ali Wahab: Source: Express Tribune Shelters of millions were wiped out in the devastating floods of 2010. With the numbers still coming in, it has been estimated that more than 0.7 million homes have been destroyed across Pakistan till now. In