Stories by Ehsan Malik

Indigenising defence production

The path forward lies in building a defence ecosystem rather than expanding a state-centric production model Published 06 Apr, 2026 08:44am

Squeezing the middle class

Pakistan’s personal tax structure burdens salaried professionals and entrepreneurs far more than comparable economies. Published 30 Mar, 2026 08:18am

From pessimism to action

Despite policy shortcomings, many companies in the private sector are stepping up to drive growth. Published 23 Mar, 2026 08:42am

Oil shock

A series of crises have left us with limited policy space. Updated 10 Mar, 2026 09:26am

From slurry to sovereignty

If Pakistan settles for extraction and export alone, it risks remaining merely a quarry, rather than achieving broader industrial Updated 02 Mar, 2026 08:35am

Tariffs as a ladder, not a wall

Our growth challenge is not a lack of protection, but a lack of discipline in enforcing reforms and driving competitiveness Published 23 Feb, 2026 08:17am

Tax truths

Pakistan does not need fewer taxes; it needs better taxes. Published 20 Feb, 2026 06:08am

Sound policy vs ad hoc taxation

Over time, predictability will itself enhance revenue, as businesses opt for documentation and growth over evasion and fragmentation. Updated 09 Feb, 2026 07:38am

Growth prescription

The hard reality is that Pakistan cannot simply spend, borrow, or subsidise its way to growth. Updated 04 Feb, 2026 09:25am

When preferences fade: Pakistan’s export model at risk

With India's tariff disadvantage disappearing, even a 15pc reduction in Pakistan's EU textile share means a loss of approximately $1.5bn in exports. Published 02 Feb, 2026 07:39am

Pakistan’s export fragility exposed

With India’s tariff disadvantage disappearing, even a 15pc reduction in Pakistan’s EU textile share would mean a loss of Published 02 Feb, 2026 07:12am

Pakistan’s lopsided trade agreements

Trade agreements reward countries with existing competitiveness; they do not serve as a remedy for those lacking it Published 26 Jan, 2026 06:21am

Quality growth

The debate is about escaping the habits that made IMF inevitable. Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:50am

Pakistan’s exchange rate illusion

History shows that prolonged artificial stability acts as a tax on exports and a subsidy to imports. Updated 19 Jan, 2026 08:17am

Biggest conglomerate

Competition is constrained by design, not accident. Published 13 Jan, 2026 07:59am

Pakistan’s struggle to scale its exports

Decades of policy choices have made exporting difficult, risky, and unrewarding while protecting inefficiencies at home. Updated 12 Jan, 2026 09:30am

Chasing every dollar is a policy mistake

Treating all FDI as equally beneficial and celebrating investments that merely exploit domestic demand reflects a flawed economic strategy. Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:31am

Quick fixes

Firms must become externally focused, productivity-driven, and globally competitive. Published 24 Dec, 2025 04:49am

Faulty governance laid bare

IMF’s diagnostic assessment exposes how entrenched elite capture and weak institutions undermine Pakistan’s governance and economic reform efforts. Updated 01 Dec, 2025 08:22am

Policy responses

Reform must also target structural bottlenecks. Published 22 Nov, 2025 06:39am