Stories by Usman Hayat

The writer is a former CEO of the Audit Oversight Board, Executive Director at the Securities and Exchange Commission and content director at CFA Institute (London). He tweets @Usman_Hayat

Remembering Ardeshir Cowasjee

Like his hero Jinnah, Cowasjee set the bar high, perhaps a little too high for most of his countrymen. Updated 24 Nov, 2021 11:54am

Why is the IMF so unpopular?

The IMF subjects the people already hurt by the failures of their governments to more hurt by the failures of the markets. Updated 13 Jul, 2021 11:48am

The third-party solution for SOEs

Can you really be independent of the entity that appoints and removes you, determines your fee and gives... Published 31 May, 2021 07:02am

Low audit fee in Pakistan: Why is it against public interest?

It does not help the cause of foreign portfolio investment in PSX listed companies if the audit fee seems surprisingly low. Updated 13 Jul, 2021 11:09pm

The controversial amendments to the SBP Act

The central bank would have a much better chance of managing inflation if domestic price stability is its primary function. Updated 03 May, 2021 09:48am

Pakistan’s Fitch Ratings downgrade: What it means and what it doesn’t

A credit rating is an opinion, not fate. Updated 27 Dec, 2018 12:46pm

Key Audit Matters: a welcome change for listed companies

A company’s most significant matters will now be publicly disclosed through the auditor’s report. Updated 10 Sep, 2018 08:10am

One way to manage foreign currency reserves: let overseas Pakistanis bring their pensions home

If we are going to borrow anyway, why not borrow from our own who want to see Pakistan overcome its economic challenges? Updated 27 Aug, 2018 06:22pm

Pakistan on FATF’s grey list: what, why, and why now?

The grey listing should be placed in the larger picture of US-Pakistan relations that have had many ups and downs. Updated 10 Jun, 2019 04:58pm

What Pakistan can learn about tax reforms from developing countries

Pakistan is not the only country struggling with tax reforms; other have faced this challenge too. Published 06 Apr, 2018 04:56pm

2017 in review: Dirty politics trumped development economics this year

2017 started off looking bright, but then turned into a dark year for Pakistan’s economy. Updated 31 Dec, 2017 12:15pm

Why Pakistanis do not love finance ministers

THINK of Ishaq Dar. He has faced severe criticism for his tenure as finance minister since 2013. Much that is ailing... Updated 13 Jul, 2021 10:57pm

Investing in public interest companies

Should Pakistanis not have the right to invest in the country’s large public interest licensed companies? To help... Updated 13 Jul, 2021 10:55pm

The cost of political uncertainty

Pakistan’s economic growth has had sharp drops after periods of political turmoil. Updated 13 Jul, 2021 10:54pm

Women directors in Pakistan to more than double in three years

The new Companies Act 2017 requires public interest companies to have representation of women directors. Updated 13 Jul, 2021 04:37pm

Reimagining Iqbal at the Mosque of Cordoba

Having read Masjid-e-Qartaba during my school years, I had long wished to visit the mosque that had inspired the poet. Updated 13 Jul, 2021 04:41pm

Finding Rumi in Turkey

Despite the cold, the Mevlana Museum had a warm atmosphere, and without the usual pressures of security and formality. Updated 13 Jul, 2021 04:40pm