Cover Story

The year 2023 will be a make or break moment for Pakistan. Some decisive measures are required by those who matter in terms of dealing with widespread frustration, pessimism and gloom about the present and future of the country.

In a republic with weak institutional and regulatory control on checks and balances in state governance, the ‘One Percent Republic,’ mainly represents the fraternity of the upper crust.

How can a country like Pakistan with such immense natural resources end up being a one-percent republic?

How can you say that Pakistan’s elite will rescue the country from sovereign default, despite on-going economic slump together with the deteriorating living conditions today? To make it happen, how and from where could the elite arrange such a huge sum of 27 billion dollars?

Each new occupant in Islamabad brings a new recipe for economic growth, and each new initiative brings results worse than the previous ones.

Successive governments, including the present one, have made serious attempts at improving civil-military relations, but mostly on the basis of compromises and undermining the Constitution.

Even if the military withdraws or refrains from direct intervention in the political sphere, its vast resources and its past experience of political power are likely to make the military remain a political factor.

Perhaps the answer is the introduction of a presidential form of government based on the American model with direct elections.

At this crucial juncture when Pakistan needs political stability and single-mindedness at the top decision-making levels more than ever, there’s a need to demarcate the scope as well as limitations of civil-military relations without running the risk of unconstitutional intervention or institutional trespassing.

For sound governance under a democratic system, should there be complete separation in Pakistan’s civil-military relations?

The appointment of the next Pakistan Army chief will be made in the context of existing civil-military relations and institutional traditions.

Inequality in Pakistan comes in two forms: industrial assets and land. Of late the latter has become an important contributor to the incomes of the rich.

The World Bank Group’s engagement in India is guided by the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), developed in collaboration with the Government of India,

Regional cooperation has the potential to produce significant gains across all countries of South Asia.

Pakistan is the most urbanized country in South Asia. Its magacity Karachi can be transformed into a livable and competitive urban centre with smart policies and tools.

The need for new leaders and new political parties is a reality.

The ingress of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf into the Punjab’s heartland has sent shivers down the spines of many strong-rooted political parties.

There is too much focus on saving the queen and losing sight of the king.

Despite the pitfalls, Imran Khan’s supporters remain glued to him and dismiss all criticism.

There is a need to take a neutral view of the policies of Gen. Pervez Musharraf and the intent of the reforms undertaken.

From a corporate leader to a senior bureaucrat, the transformation

It is too early to close the balance sheet on the Musharraf era. More time is needed before a definitive judgment can be made.