News

Implementing a flat-rate tax

For too long, we have allowed Pakistan's tax codes to wreak havoc on our state's finances – revenue shortfalls lead to excessive borrowing, cuts in essential services, enormously inefficient disruptions in long-term projects and tax increases that only exacerbate the crisis. These crises are exceptionally deep and lasting, directly resulting from Pakistan having the worst tax system in the regi

Who will lead change to democracy dilemma?

In recent days, as Pakistan's economic woes have intensified, a veritable cottage industry has developed to suggest ways of putting the country back on track. Those offering advice include eminent Pakistani professors at universities such as Harvard and Princeton, former finance ministers, and retired bureaucrats. In posts on social media and newspaper columns, these distinguished thinkers prov

Inflation concerns come to haunt US consumers

US shoppers are fretting about unpredictably increased inflationary trends as high tariffs may take a heavy toll on the country's economic growth as well as the global economic architecture. An array of countries seems grumpy on account of a whimsical and an uncertain world economic order following a new tariff strategy adopted by US President Donald Trump. The US central bank has also raised e

Challenges of Reko Diq

Recent reports of security concerns raised by Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC), following the perceived slowdown of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the region, underscore the risks of investing in Balochistan’s mineral-rich yet volatile landscape. “Mark my words, regardless of whether the additional security budget is justified, even if the government fulfils the Frontier

IMF talks on $1bn climate funding kick off today

A technical mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) begins discussions in Islamabad today (Monday) on Pakistan’s request for over $1 billion in additional financing for climate resilience. This will be followed by a policy review early next week to assess the authorities’ performance under the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The technical team will engage mostly w