In Love with…IMF!
Pakistan and the IMF seem to be locked in the longest on-again, off-again relationship in economic history. Every few months, those running the affairs of the state promise sweeping reforms, and then get back together for “just one more tranche from the IMF.” The finance minister calls it “tough but necessary decisions.” Ordinary Pakistanis call it petrol at over Rs300 a litre and electricity bills that arrive with what feels like a love letter. Meanwhile, every new IMF programme comes with familiar promises of economic stability, structural reforms and a brighter future. The PowerPoint slides about “economic recovery” keep getting fancier, even as household budgets get tighter. And somehow, each new agreement arrives with the reassuring message that “this time will be different.” Hence, Pakistan’s love-hate relationship with the IMF continues.
Madness in the Media
Pakistan’s know-it-all media can be impossible to keep up with. They know everything, report everything, and then change the story an hour later. Forget the ministries; the real policy-making now seems to happen on news channels, with major announcements arriving at 9 pm. One TV anchor declares that the government is about to fall, while another claims that the establishment is perfectly happy with the hybrid regime. To make matters even more complicated, a third channel produces “inside information,” followed by yet another round of breaking news. Within a 24-hour news cycle, the entire government setup can be appointed, resigned, and reinstated twice — all thanks to our ever-confident media outlets.
Commonwealth Games Saga
Pakistan’s campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, ended with a solitary bronze medal, won by boxer Fatima Zahra in the women’s 60kg event — the country’s lowest medal haul at the Games in 36 years. Ah, the Commonwealth Games appeared to be just another reminder that we’re really good at showing up and really bad at winning. Pakistan sent a full squad, three managers per athlete, two press officers, and one heartfelt press release about “participation being victory.” However, Team Pakistan came back with the usual haul: zero gold medals, one bronze, if we’re lucky, and a hundred interviews about the “lack of funds.” In a country where cricket gets billions, hockey is now a museum piece, and wrestlers are training in parking lots, what more can we expect from the team? Alas, the Pakistan Sports Board says, “We’ll do better next time,” which has been the same plan since the country’s creation.
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