Demise of second consecutive NFC
Dr. Ikramul Haq According to a Press report, the 9th National Finance Commission (NFC) “died its natural death …after the Centre and four provinces could not reach consensus on a new award for distribution of fiscal resources during the five-year…
Elections & missing manifestos
Dr. Ikramul Haq and Abdul Rauf Shakoori With general elections approaching fast, an air of suspicion looms over the political landscape. Despite the onset of campaign activities, a significant concern is the apparent lack of earnestness among political parties, given…
Elections & electoral promises
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori With the conclusion of the general elections on February 8, 2024, the new elected leadership of Pakistan, for the term spanning 2024-2029, has received the voters’ constitutional mandate. Throughout this electoral process, political…
Global economic outlook 2024
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori By unlocking big, bold investments, we can drive sustainable development and climate action and put the global economy on a stronger growth path for all. We must build on the progress…
Malice Towards None & All
Elections, State, Elitism & Citizens Dr. Ikramul Haq “The State shall ensure the elimination of all forms of exploitation and the gradual fulfilment of the fundamental principle, from each according to his ability to each according to his work”—Article 3,…
India’s flagrant AML-CFT & HR violations
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori Money laundering poses a significant threat to the integrity of global financial system. According to UNDOC estimates, as Indian economy exceeded the US$3 trillion mark in 2021, the scale of money laundering reached…
IMF & upcoming government
Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori Pakistan’s economic trajectory remains complicated, with future optimism intricately linked to the effective implementation of rational, tough and robust policies along with much-needed but long-overdue fundamental structural reforms. The country obtained a 9-month…
Kids—potential adults
Huzaima Bukhari “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”—Frederick Douglass, American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman. Nelson Mandela was so right when he opined that there could be no keener revelation of a…
Need for accountability & reforms
Huzaima Bukhari, Dr. Ikramul Haq and Abdul Rauf Shakoori Corruption will continue to thrive until justice systems can punish wrongdoing and keep governments in check. When justice is bought or politically interfered with, it is the people that suffer. Leaders…