Author Archives: Khurram Husain
1st November, 2012
Supreme Court’s CNG order
THREE cheers for the Supreme Court! I knew operating a CNG station was a profitable enterprise, and licences were reserved for those with political clout.
THREE cheers for the Supreme Court! I knew operating a CNG station was a profitable enterprise, and licences were reserved for those with political clout.
25th October, 2012
Reformers and jihadis
THE year 1990 was a turning point in Pakistan’s history in more ways than one. The Asghar Khan case has highlighted the lies that turned the 1990s into a political train wreck, and the heightened role that money came to play in politics.
THE year 1990 was a turning point in Pakistan’s history in more ways than one. The Asghar Khan case has highlighted the lies that turned the 1990s into a political train wreck, and the heightened role that money came to play in politics.
18th October, 2012
An interim mandate
IF history is any guide, it looks like the job of getting the country back onto an IMF programme will be left for the interim government. But there are some differences this time which may not provide history with
IF history is any guide, it looks like the job of getting the country back onto an IMF programme will be left for the interim government. But there are some differences this time which may not provide history with
11th October, 2012
Bipolar banking at SBP
A FEW years ago, while in conversation with one of the country’s leading businessmen, I was taken aback by something he said.
A FEW years ago, while in conversation with one of the country’s leading businessmen, I was taken aback by something he said.
4th October, 2012
Why East & West never met
IN the tumultuous March of 1970, the Planning Commission convened an advisory panel of economists from East and West Pakistan to provide input to the outline of the Fourth Five-Year Plan. The panel consisted of 12 economists, six from each wing, and held six meetings in three different cities.
IN the tumultuous March of 1970, the Planning Commission convened an advisory panel of economists from East and West Pakistan to provide input to the outline of the Fourth Five-Year Plan. The panel consisted of 12 economists, six from each wing, and held six meetings in three different cities.
27th September, 2012
State Bank blues
RIGHT about now the State Bank is getting ready to prepare its monetary policy statement due to be announced on October 5.
RIGHT about now the State Bank is getting ready to prepare its monetary policy statement due to be announced on October 5.
20th September, 2012
PTI’s amateur hour
IF you need any proof that Mr Imran Khan is not ready to wield power, much less execute complex ‘plans’ for the economic revival of this country, look no further than the conundrum in which he finds himself in the ongoing talks on selecting an interim prime minister.
IF you need any proof that Mr Imran Khan is not ready to wield power, much less execute complex ‘plans’ for the economic revival of this country, look no further than the conundrum in which he finds himself in the ongoing talks on selecting an interim prime minister.
13th September, 2012
To stand and deliver
HE’S got quite the story, but nobody to tell it to. Last week, Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh and I sat down for dinner and a chat, accompanied by the secretary finance.
HE’S got quite the story, but nobody to tell it to. Last week, Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh and I sat down for dinner and a chat, accompanied by the secretary finance.
9th September, 2012
Economy uncertain as elections loom
Does Pakistan have sufficient reserves to prevent a dramatic slide in the value of the rupee over the course of the next nine to ten months?
Does Pakistan have sufficient reserves to prevent a dramatic slide in the value of the rupee over the course of the next nine to ten months?
6th September, 2012
Bring on the bandages
IF reports are true, and there are lots of indications that they are, the government is getting ready to lift more than a couple of bucketfuls from the banks to square all receivables in the power sector and prepare to bring loadshedding down in the time leading up to elections.
IF reports are true, and there are lots of indications that they are, the government is getting ready to lift more than a couple of bucketfuls from the banks to square all receivables in the power sector and prepare to bring loadshedding down in the time leading up to elections.
30th August, 2012
Robin Hood economics
NOW don’t get me wrong. I’m all for “recovering looted wealth” and I’m all for using the proceeds to help educate our youth.
NOW don’t get me wrong. I’m all for “recovering looted wealth” and I’m all for using the proceeds to help educate our youth.
23rd August, 2012
In aid of Gilgit-Baltistan
ALL through the Eid holidays, my mind has been on the Northern Areas.
ALL through the Eid holidays, my mind has been on the Northern Areas.
16th August, 2012
State Bank bleats
WHAT do you call it when your words are contradicted by your deeds? I’m pretty sure whatever the word, it’s a very unkind one.
WHAT do you call it when your words are contradicted by your deeds? I’m pretty sure whatever the word, it’s a very unkind one.
10th August, 2012
Telecoms and the taxman’s noose
Long the darlings of the new economy, mobile phone companies today find themselves caught in the taxman’s noose.
Long the darlings of the new economy, mobile phone companies today find themselves caught in the taxman’s noose.
9th August, 2012
Mirages and miracles
THERE are many ‘water cars’ amongst us, even though Mr Waqar’s little contraption is hardly likely to find a buyer now.
THERE are many ‘water cars’ amongst us, even though Mr Waqar’s little contraption is hardly likely to find a buyer now.
2nd August, 2012
Political clout of business groups
“THE problem with the fertiliser sector is that it doesn’t enjoy political clout like textile and many other lobbies do,” said Naz Khan, the newly inducted chief financial officer of Engro, while discussing the corporation’s plan to ask for an extension on its loan repayment obligations to banks.
“THE problem with the fertiliser sector is that it doesn’t enjoy political clout like textile and many other lobbies do,” said Naz Khan, the newly inducted chief financial officer of Engro, while discussing the corporation’s plan to ask for an extension on its loan repayment obligations to banks.
26th July, 2012
Our overland trade links
CAN Pakistan’s overland trade links eventually grow to compete with Karachi as conduits for the country’s imports?
CAN Pakistan’s overland trade links eventually grow to compete with Karachi as conduits for the country’s imports?
5th July, 2012
Imagining isolation
FOR a country with very weak fundamentals, we are playing in a league beyond our capacity.
FOR a country with very weak fundamentals, we are playing in a league beyond our capacity.
28th June, 2012
Power and politics
DECISIONS made in the dead of night seldom speak of clean intentions.
DECISIONS made in the dead of night seldom speak of clean intentions.
21st June, 2012
The many faces of power
We have a crisis of the state on our hands, and that crisis grows directly and unambiguously.
We have a crisis of the state on our hands, and that crisis grows directly and unambiguously.
