Archives of Political economy & socioeconomics

1. MDGs: long way off from Pakistan

   2011-04-25 06:38:33 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   It won’t be too hard to guess that Pakistan is not on target to meet the Millennium Development Goals, aimed to be reached by 2015. The World Bank’s recent Global Monitoring Report 2011 reiterates this view, though with a more optimistic stance than any average Pakistani might hold. MDG goals focus on enhancing access to education, reducing gender disparity in education, eradicating pov...

2. Two to tango

   2011-04-22 09:07:55 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   ‘Reforms’ is perhaps one of the most resounding words in Pakistan these days. From drawing rooms to ‘chai-khanas’; from Islamabad to business hubs, this word is ringing bells everywhere -- with most participants passing the bucket to the government. The government, no doubt, is responsible for providing basic amenities for the populace. But it is increasingly becoming evident, in the ...

3. An eye for an eye?

   2011-04-06 04:52:08 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   The issue of strike against extortion in Karachi is multifaceted – and it is increasingly becoming complex in the wake of the ‘political hijacking’ of the movement and the divide between the trade bodies.   Karachi, like several other big cities of past and present, has had a history of gang wars, and other types of crimes like kidnappings, protection money, and so forth. So yes, it ...

4. Count on, for better policy decisions

   2011-04-05 05:58:28 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   After a hiatus 13 years, the government is finally undertaking the gigantic task of putting an official figure to the number of heads vying for the scant resources of Pakistan. The magnanimity of the task can be quite daunting. After all, many important policy decisions are based on this exercise until the next census takes place. Simple as it may seem, what hold particular importance vis-à-v...

5. Put the creative foot forward

   2011-04-05 05:45:34 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   Leadership and creativity have some common traits: not everybody is good at it and those who are, are often envied, ridiculed, or despised for their guts. The biggest similarity, perhaps, is the debate on, whether leaders and creative folks are born – as in God-gifted – or made, is still on. Yet, in the case of creativity, at least one thing is certain: once creative reserves are proven, its...

6. Celebrate aid-dependency?

   2011-04-01 07:18:53 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   Many might look at the $650 million and $125 million loans approved by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank through rose-tinted glasses. After all, they’re an extra brace on the crutches of fiscally-limped Pakistan. At least, so it seems. But the hitches and ‘ifs and buts’ attached to such loans is what makes one revisit the apparent idealism in such assistance. Reconstruction o...

7. EU concessions: Where are the lobbyists?

   2011-03-30 06:57:29 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   In the context of Pakistan’s trade relations, two recent developments stand out. One spells hope, the other raises concerns. Recall that the lobby of Turkish denim manufacturers had pushed its government to enhance the duty on Pakistani fabric from 6.5 percent to 34.5 percent – an increase of 28 percent – which in the words of Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, advisor to prime minister on textile, �...

8. Bombed economy

   2011-03-14 06:32:53 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   After a short-lived cease fire, the terrorists, the suicide bombings and the drone attacks are back in business.  The dilemma is growing stronger with every passing day as the one Pakistan fights for and the one it fights with; both are continuing with their rampage – badly hurting the country’s image, identity, sovereignty and economy. The Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC) re...

9. We don’t need ‘no-education’

   2011-03-10 05:32:00 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

   Pakistani policymakers are renowned for slipping some significant policy issues under the carpet. Be it the implementation of RGST, issues of sick SOEs, or more pressing development issues such as education. The Pakistan Education Task Force (PEFT) draws attention to the dearth of quality education in its aesthetically appealing report titled ‘Education Emergency Pakistan’. Highlightin...

10. Employed illiteracy

    2011-03-10 05:25:57 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

    Providing employment to the youth may not be the best-selling mantra for the politicians, come the next elections, as there is hardly any room for more employment in Pakistan. The country is brimming with 94.4 percent employment rate. Yes – you heard it right – only 3 million people amongst the labour force in Pakistan are unemployed. At least, that is what the recently released Labour F...

11. Three year report card – where is the progress?

    2011-03-04 09:35:17 GMT : (BR Research - Pakistan Macroeconomics/Political economy & socioeconomics)

    Just about three years ago, the PPP and PML(N) agreed to form a coalition on the basis of what was then termed, “a common agenda”. Today, the marriage of convenience has been conveniently turned into a divorce. The walking out of PML(N) may have several motivations and implications best left for pedantic political analysts to peruse over and over again. But one motivation simply stands ob...