FSA

Stuck in the disturbing status quo

The most affluent 10pc of households own 60pc of household wealth, while the least moneyed 60pc own just one-tenth of it. Updated 01 May, 2023 08:56am

Not a blessed month

The government’s lack of competence was never a question but it seems it also lacks the will to help the poor amid its power-hungry politics. Updated 03 Apr, 2023 11:13am

Slumming it in Pakistan

At the brink of a default, the country has little left to give to those at the bottom of the pyramid, who struggle to survive in slums even in best of times. Updated 27 Mar, 2023 10:38am

Shrugging of female struggles

Imagine being sick but having to wait for your wife to come home to take you to the doctor. It seems ridiculous when... Published 13 Mar, 2023 07:37am

The futile exercise of rate hike amid supply shocks

While higher interest rates are supposed to attract “hot money”, who would want to invest in a country that Moody rates at Caa3? Updated 20 Mar, 2023 11:42am

When protection is denied

“Allah will provide for us,” says Saima’s husband when she broaches the topic of protection. A maid taking ... Published 20 Feb, 2023 06:51am

Growth of global Islamic finance

Can Pakistan be interest-free? Ishaq Dar certainly seems to think so. Whether the State Bank has a strong road map ... Published 13 Feb, 2023 07:12am

Headed for new lows

Memes and tweets aside, is anyone really surprised by the rupee’s recent devaluation? Does anyone expect it to not depreciate Published 30 Jan, 2023 07:13am

The not-so-affluent middle class

While the middle-income class is heaped together, it is actually made up of many sub-classes. There are those who... Published 23 Jan, 2023 07:06am

When omelettes become too expensive

Eggs for breakfast are pretty universal. Be it the tycoons cocooned behind electric fences and guards in fortresses... Updated 18 Jan, 2023 11:54am

Lagging far behind

There are many reasons the ruling government can indulge in the victim’s cry of ‘woe is me’ and run to... Published 09 Jan, 2023 07:51am

Why female financial inclusion matters

Pakistan’s financial inclusion numbers are the worst in the region for both males and females. Published 26 Dec, 2022 07:01am

The cost of ignoring the other half

Saima, a maid, has to fight her husband and her in-laws to let her six-year-old daughter, Batool, go to school. They... Published 19 Dec, 2022 07:05am

Double-digit declines

Pakistanis love their chai. Be it the rich, living in palatial mansions in Defence or be in the truck drivers ... Published 12 Dec, 2022 08:01am

Not the only one with a beggar’s bowl

IMF’s deep pockets run to roughly $1tr, of which it has about $142bn in outstanding credit. Think of the world as one big joint Published 28 Nov, 2022 07:28am

What could have been

It boggles the mind and defies the imagination, but half a century ago, Pakistan’s GDP per capita was higher than... Published 21 Nov, 2022 07:37am

Not every country’s deficit is bad

Every armchair economist will tell you our current account deficit is too big. And yet, Pakistan’s deficit, in... Published 14 Nov, 2022 08:34am

Can your husband slap you?

How can women be protected from spousal abuse if they themselves do not consider it wrong? Four out of 10 women in... Published 07 Nov, 2022 08:04am

Poorest among peer poverty

Pakistan’s poorest are by far poorer than the poorest of India and Bangladesh. Updated 31 Oct, 2022 08:48am

A lame horse economy

Pakistan is a volatile country. The foreign direct investment flowing into the country is no less immune to the recurrent cycles Published 24 Oct, 2022 07:46am