Stories by Shahid Kardar

IMF report: light on substance

IMF report: light on substance

A fundamental weakness in the report is the reluctance to admit the role of external agencies. Updated 01 Dec, 2025 09:41am
Industrial policy a relic

Industrial policy a relic

Pakistan does not need more attempts at assisting, through subsidies and protection, industries which cannot stand on their own feet. Updated 12 Sep, 2025 08:56am
Reforming the civil service

Reforming the civil service

The old systems of governance do not equip bureaucrats with the required technical skills. Updated 31 Oct, 2024 09:39am
IMF misses the mark yet again

IMF misses the mark yet again

There is a misplaced focus on numbers, with an emphasis on revenue generation instead of the fiscal structure. Updated 18 Oct, 2024 09:51am
A fraying federation

A fraying federation

A new federal structure has to be devised for the long-term sustainability of the state of Pakistan. Updated 01 Oct, 2024 08:59am
Matters of legitimacy

Matters of legitimacy

The lack of legitimacy is engendering resentment and alienation, making governance difficult. Updated 09 Sep, 2024 09:35am
Expecting too much

Expecting too much

The federal demand that the provinces raise more revenues is somewhat bizarre. Updated 13 Jul, 2024 09:00am
Restructuring debt

Restructuring debt

What are the options available for restructuring our external and domestic debts? Updated 07 Feb, 2024 09:58am
2024: Rocky road ahead

2024: Rocky road ahead

Our ‘friends’ have lost patience with us and are no longer agreeable to doling out lifelines. Updated 13 Jan, 2024 10:07am