S. Akbar Zaidi

No longer the periphery

No longer the periphery

The secure and comfortable centre in Pakistan — of politics, privilege and policy — is being overturned by the marginalised and oppressed. Updated 02 Feb, 2024 10:33am
Is the PTI a political party?

Is the PTI a political party?

The PTI is merely a collection of a few second-tier political aspirants seeking electoral representation and power. Updated 02 Jun, 2023 09:13am
Resistance, not resilience

Resistance, not resilience

No matter how much misery is imposed on the people in the name of austerity, they are expected to carry on. Updated 24 Feb, 2023 08:45am
The IMF as saviour?

The IMF as saviour?

The consequences of financial apocalypse or economic meltdown are different for different income groups. Updated 26 Jan, 2023 08:58am
Politics over economy

Politics over economy

People don’t realise that economics is about politics, particularly political economy. Issues about taxation, distribution, Updated 02 Jan, 2023 02:14pm
A pyrrhic victory

A pyrrhic victory

The revival of the IMF deal gives the government some breathing space but it also allows the old complacency to return. Updated 01 Sep, 2022 08:49am
Fixated on the dollar

Fixated on the dollar

A thriving and robust economy which focuses on redistribution would be less affected by the exchange rate. Updated 13 Aug, 2022 09:27am
Disrupt the status quo

Disrupt the status quo

The economy will continue facing multiple crises unless reforms which redistribute resources and relocate priorities are made. Updated 16 Jun, 2022 11:46am
An accounting exercise

An accounting exercise

A budget is merely an accounting exercise, where a government lays out its expected income/revenue and expenditure... Published 13 Jun, 2022 07:56am
A perfect storm

A perfect storm

The government needs a clear plan of what it hopes to achieve. Updated 12 May, 2022 08:38am
An economic catastrophe

An economic catastrophe

Pakistan’s economic policy has been dependent on a short-sighted operation. Published 11 Apr, 2022 06:42am
They call this ‘stability’

They call this ‘stability’

This financial year will be the worst in over a decade in terms of how it affects the working people of Pakistan. Updated 14 Jul, 2019 07:16am
Don’t blame the IMF

Don’t blame the IMF

Rest assured, Pakistan’s economy is going to be severely constrained over the next few years. Updated 18 May, 2019 07:30am
Much worse to come

Much worse to come

The rupee is losing value every other day, adding to inflation, and will depreciate a great deal more. Updated 08 Apr, 2019 10:05am
How to wreck an economy

How to wreck an economy

The hallmark of PTI’s economic plan in the last five months has been continued uncertainty and ambiguity. Updated 31 Dec, 2018 08:03am
The death of resistance

The death of resistance

A new order of accommodation and compromise is replacing free speech and dissent. Published 01 Dec, 2018 06:55am
Money for nothing

Money for nothing

The expected tough conditionality will have a serious impact on the PTI’s populist promises. Updated 10 Nov, 2018 10:22am
What are people voting for?

What are people voting for?

Local, real-life issues seem to trump broader issues, supposedly related to principles or ideology. Published 23 Jul, 2018 07:09am
The end of democracy?

The end of democracy?

Many elected and civilian groups have continued to raise their voice in a public space which is heavily manipulated. Updated 25 Jun, 2018 01:39pm