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Farhat Ali

The challenge of SOEs
Opinion

The challenge of SOEs

The 190 State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) comprising Public Sector Companies (PSCs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Authorities, employing a total of over 425,000 personnel, incur a colossal loss of around Rs 500 billion a year. In other words,
Published 30 May, 2020 12:06am
Post-coronavirus world
Opinion

Post-coronavirus world

Most of the developed nations will move out of the current coronavirus pandemic crisis soon because of good governance, strong financial bases and political harmony. They are cooperating with each other in this hour of crisis. The problems will remain in
Published 29 May, 2020 12:05am
Diamer-Bhasha dam
Opinion

Diamer-Bhasha dam

Finally, the commencement of much-awaited Bhasha dam has been formally announced. Prime Minister Imran Khan last Monday ordered immediate commencement of work on construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam, rightly describing water security as the foremost priority
Published 16 May, 2020 12:07am
Formal and non-formal education
Opinion

Formal and non-formal education

The World Bank is reported to have stated that it will assist Pakistan in developing a new model of non-formal education which, it said, would combine literacy, labour market skills and life skills development for uneducated and illiterate children, youth
Published 09 May, 2020 12:06am
Report on IPPs
Opinion

Report on IPPs

The report on the conduct of IPPs has indeed triggered extensive criticism on the profits made by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the last four decades and witnessed an extensive media bashing of IPPs on their conduct with an equally-hyped condemnat
Published 02 May, 2020 12:08am
Power sector: What went wrong?
Opinion

Power sector: What went wrong?

It was way back in 1958 that Wapda was established in Lahore to electrify the rural and urban areas, stretching from one end of the country to the other, except Karachi which was electrified by Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) - the first IPP in the
Published 25 Apr, 2020 06:43am
IPPs in the dock?
Opinion

IPPs in the dock?

PM Imran Khan vowed in the midst of recent sugar, wheat and other commodities shortage and hoarding crisis that he would not spare the cartels and hoarders and take them to task.
Published 18 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Formidable challenge
Opinion

Formidable challenge

Coronavirus has severely impacted the human lives and the economies the world over in a profound manner. The trauma of loss of human lives will be followed by loss of jobs, food shortages and depleted health facilities - just to name a few of them.
Published 04 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Opportunities for Pakistan
Opinion

Opportunities for Pakistan

International Monetary Fund (IMF) President Kristalina Georgieva warned this week that she expects a global recession this year due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. In a statement released by her office in Washington, the IMF chief said that since
Published 28 Mar, 2020 12:00am
PSM problem: a workable solution
Opinion

PSM problem: a workable solution

Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) Board of Directors' incumbent Chairman is reported to have stated last week that PSM is in the process of revival and recovery. According to him, it needs to reinvent itself as a new organization.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
OICCI's survey
Opinion

OICCI's survey

The Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) has rolled out key findings of its recently released 'Perception and Investment Survey - 2019'. The following are key punch lines of its survey:
Published 14 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Power emergency
Opinion

Power emergency

It has been reported that National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has asked the Prime Minister to declare a national power emergency and take drastic steps for scaling down about Rs 1.93 trillion circular debt which, according to the regulato
Published 07 Mar, 2020 12:00am
IMF lending - Pakistan vs Egypt
Opinion

IMF lending - Pakistan vs Egypt

Ever since the IMF rolled out its current programme in Pakistan, the global lending agency's programme for Egypt has been under intense discussions. The IMF rolled out, in 2016, a programme in Egypt. There are striking similarities between Egypt's and Pak
Published 29 Feb, 2020 12:00am
Mid-year budget review - 2019-20
Opinion

Mid-year budget review - 2019-20

The Federal Ministry of Finance has formulated the mid-year budget review 2019-20. Subject to its review by the Federal Cabinet and the National Assembly the report would be rolled out soon. One important aspect of the report is the fiscal risk analysis a
Published 22 Feb, 2020 12:00am
Reforms in energy sector
Opinion

Reforms in energy sector

The federal government has decided to set up Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority as part of its plan to introduce reforms in the oil and gas sector. Presently, the energy ministry enjoys both the powers of policymaking and regulation.
Published 15 Feb, 2020 12:00am
Unrealistic IMF targets
Opinion

Unrealistic IMF targets

Pakistan has once again requested the visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) team to further reduce tax collection target. As reported in the media, in a meeting between a Pakistani team and the IMF mission for second review talks, the government info
Published 08 Feb, 2020 12:00am
A flawed approach?
Opinion

A flawed approach?

Never before has the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) global rating by Transparency International (TI) invoked so much of controversy and confusion in Pakistan. In its recently published report, TI stated that Pakistan had scored 32 on the Corruption Per
Published 01 Feb, 2020 12:00am
A welcome step
Opinion

A welcome step

Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to facilitate the business community in a meaningful manner. While chairing a meeting on the licensing regime in Pakistan last week, he directed to abolish unnecessary taxes and inspections. Around 150 licences are requ
Published 25 Jan, 2020 12:00am
'Hunarmand Pakistan' programme
Opinion

'Hunarmand Pakistan' programme

Prime Minister Imran Khan, flanked by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmoud, launched on January 9, 2020 the Hunarmand Pakistan programme - the country's largest-ever skilled development programme aimed at enhancing the skills of youth through qualit
Published 18 Jan, 2020 12:00am