Views & Opinions
SBP's first monetary policy report: Claims of performance without evidence
On August 13, 2025, the State Bank of Pakistan released its first-ever 'Monetary Policy Report' (MPR). The title of the…
Writer
Dr. Atiq Ur Rehman
19 articles
Views & Opinions
Navigating without compass: Pakistan's data crisis and policy blindness
Imagine a ship caught in the middle of the ocean, rudderless, its compass broken, no captain certain of its direction…
Views & Opinions
Can Azad Kashmir learn from Sikkim? A model of prosperity from the Himalayas
Sikkim, one of the smallest and remotest states of India, offers a striking case of development that defies…
Views & Opinions
Monetary indiscipline: Pakistan's real economic crisis
For decades, Pakistan's economic difficulties have been largely attributed to fiscal indiscipline. Government…
Views & Opinions
Pakistan without the Indus Waters Treaty: Challenge or opportunity?
When the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960, Pakistan was in a significantly stronger geopolitical position…
Views & Opinions
Defense, debt & discipline: Rethinking Pakistan's security budget in a fiscal crunch
Pakistan's journey as a nation has been marked by both significant achievements and formidable challenges. In its early…
Views & Opinions
Who really controls Pakistan's budget? The illusion of fiscal autonomy
Each year, as April arrives, a flurry of activity surrounds the preparation of the federal and provincial budgets…
Views & Opinions
Rethinking cryptocurrency in Pakistan: A cautious approach
The Government of Pakistan has recently appointed an advisor on cryptocurrency. This development suggests that the…
Views & Opinions
Understanding Pakistan's inflation problem: A matter of income, not prices
According to the World Bank, the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) conversion factor for Pakistan in 2023 was 59. This…
Views & Opinions
SBP Act, SDGs and economic growth
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global commitment to ending poverty, promoting prosperity, and…
Views & Opinions
Government borrowing and banking: A call for prudence
In mid-September auction of treasury bills, the government rejected all bids for short-term borrowing as banks were…
Views & Opinions
Debt restructuring : The need of the hour
When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) assumed power in 2018, the government's internal debt was approximately 16,400…
Views & Opinions
Pakistan needs a new social contract
In 1973, Pakistani politicians agreed on a new social contract. The purpose of this social contract, or constitution…
Views & Opinions
Let us understand the economic crisis
Let us explain in the simplest terms how economic crises arise, and how they can be dealt with. About 95% of vegetables…
Views & Opinions
Is Pakistan without billionaires?
Recently, two news stories from India have captivated audiences with tales of immense wealth and opulence. The first…
Views & Opinions
Analysis of criticism on Pakistani universities by Dr. Hoodbhoy
In the past few days, several columns written by the renowned social worker Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy have been circulating…
Views & Opinions
Financial crisis in universities and role of the government
Dr. Atiq ur Rehman : The writer is the Director, Kashmir Institute of Economics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He…
Views & Opinions
A commentary on divine economics and its pioneer
Contemporary economics is based on the idea that every decision-maker makes his or her economic decision on the basis…