Stories by Ishrat Husain

Exchange rate’s woeful tale

Exchange rate’s woeful tale

Questions must be addressed before treating REER as an authoritative guide to exchange rate policy.
Updated 07 Nov, 2026 08:41am
Security-development nexus

Security-development nexus

The challenge is to build security through development, and development through security.
Updated 29 Sep, 2026 08:57am
Managing external debt

Managing external debt

The reform journey to increase exports, investment and productivity must be accelerated.
Published 03 Sep, 2026 07:51am
Resetting the system

Resetting the system

At this critical juncture, Pakistan should avoid experiments in political and economic fragmentation.
Updated 20 Aug, 2026 07:52am
The growth-jobs paradox

The growth-jobs paradox

Rapid GDP growth by itself cannot ensure enough jobs or social stability.
Updated 06 Aug, 2026 08:48am
Rethinking trade policy

Rethinking trade policy

The new policy should begin with an honest assessment of the previous two STPs.
Updated 21 Jul, 2026 07:44am
Post-budget chores

Post-budget chores

The budget shouldn’t be seen as an annual, stand-alone affair.
Updated 25 Jun, 2026 07:47am
Regulation and deregulation

Regulation and deregulation

The challenge is to regulate intelligently, promote competition and enforce rules impartially.
Updated 11 Jun, 2026 09:06am
Three Islamic republics

Three Islamic republics

Ultimately, an Islamic republic’s legitimacy do­­e­­s­­n’t rest merely on constitutional titles or religi­o­­us slogans.
Updated 30 May, 2026 08:11am
Economic security buffers

Economic security buffers

Four key pillars can help strengthen Pakistan’s economic security in these troubling times.
Updated 03 Apr, 2026 09:44am
Budget 2026-27 as a bridge

Budget 2026-27 as a bridge

The next budget should signal that Pakistan is preparing to graduate from stabilisation under IMF supervision to self-sustaining growth.
Updated 28 Feb, 2026 09:28am
Software for growth

Software for growth

At the core of its software failure is Pakistan’s poor stock of human capital.
Published 05 Feb, 2026 07:05am
SOEs: an eclectic approach

SOEs: an eclectic approach

Decisions regarding state-owned enterprises should be guided by pragmatic considerations.
Updated 22 Jan, 2026 09:06am
Reshaping economic ties

Reshaping economic ties

A benign geopolitical environment, coupled with renewed international respect, should compel us to rethink our economic strategy decisively.
Updated 25 Oct, 2025 08:12am