Stories by Shahid Kardar
The perks system lies at the heart of the country’s dysfunction.
Updated 11 Feb, 2026 09:35am
Most ‘exit plans’ suffer from a basic flaw which confuses aspirations with instruments.
Updated 28 Jan, 2026 09:26am
The central lesson from PIA is that the real reform is not the sale itself but fixing the governance structure.
Updated 03 Jan, 2026 08:54am
A fundamental weakness in the report is the reluctance to admit the role of external agencies.
Updated 01 Dec, 2025 09:41am
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
Informality grows when the state fails to provide stability, justice and opportunity.
Updated 18 Jul, 2025 09:14am
Despite at least six major currency crises, the state continues to obsessively fix the nominal rate.
Updated 04 Jul, 2025 08:57am
Why do we want to give banks Rs87bn in the current budget for no real effort?
Updated 27 Jun, 2025 09:12am
The old systems of governance do not equip bureaucrats with the required technical skills.
Updated 31 Oct, 2024 09:39am
The IMF’s recommendations often seem aligned with abstract economic models.
Updated 24 Oct, 2024 09:38am
There is a misplaced focus on numbers, with an emphasis on revenue generation instead of the fiscal structure.
Updated 18 Oct, 2024 09:51am
The time has come to rejig government for improved service delivery.
Updated 11 Oct, 2024 10:03am
A new federal structure has to be devised for the long-term sustainability of the state of Pakistan.
Updated 01 Oct, 2024 08:59am
To address the inadequacies of T&D systems, several reforms are required.
Updated 23 Sep, 2024 09:30am
The lack of legitimacy is engendering resentment and alienation, making governance difficult.
Updated 09 Sep, 2024 09:35am
The growing gap between state capability and challenges has made the task formidable.
Updated 10 Aug, 2024 09:43am
The federal demand that the provinces raise more revenues is somewhat bizarre.
Updated 13 Jul, 2024 09:00am
A major challenge will be the quality of regulatory oversight and inter-agency coordination.
Updated 13 Jun, 2024 09:32am
What are the options available for restructuring our external and domestic debts?
Updated 07 Feb, 2024 09:58am
Our ‘friends’ have lost patience with us and are no longer agreeable to doling out lifelines.
Updated 13 Jan, 2024 10:07am
