Kunda System: The Leading Source of Electricity Theft in Pakistan
Sadia Iqbal elaborates on the pressing issue of electricity theft through the “kunda” system in Pakistan. This illegal practice enables individuals to bypass meters, evade electricity bills, and aggravate the nation’s energy crisis by establishing unauthorized connections to power lines. The author identifies undetectable transmission losses and social factors such as poverty as primary causes of the prevalence of electricity theft. The consequences of the kunda system extend beyond financial losses, encompassing damage to infrastructure, fostering dishonesty, and contributing to a broader atmosphere of lawlessness.
The IMF-Pakistan Deal: Unpacking Pakistan’s Economic Realities
Afifa Iqbal highlights the economic challenges facing ordinary Pakistanis amidst the country’s recent IMF deal. Pakistan’s economy is in crisis, with soaring inflation rates and hardships for its citizens. The priorities of the political leadership have only made matters worse. The IMF’s conditions for the deal include fiscal austerity measures that prioritize debt servicing over public and development spending, leading to potential hardships for the people. Additionally, the policy targeting disinflation could result in increased borrowing expenses and unemployment.
CSS Current Affairs 2023 Guess Paper
Success in the CSS exam relies heavily on understanding current affairs. However, the CSS current affairs syllabus can be a bit unclear, causing many candidates to feel unsure. While the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) did provide the syllabus, it has not been updated. Also, the specific domestic issues to focus on can be hard to identify. Torchbearer CSS Academy aims to clarify these points and provide a helpful list of guess topics tailored for the special CSS exam.
Small Business, Big Impact: How Government Policies Can Boost Economic Growth in Pakistan
Misha Karim suggests that Pakistan’s economic crisis can be resolved by promoting entrepreneurship through government policies such as streamlined regulations and tax reforms.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been providing financial support to Pakistan to address its economic crisis. However, IMF loans come with conditions such as reducing government spending and increasing taxes, which can negatively impact the economy and the people.
It is important for Pakistan to implement structural reforms such as streamlining regulations and taxes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to promote growth and job creation. Supporting small businesses can play a key role in shaping the national growth strategy.
Electricity Price Hike: A Tale of Poor Governance
Pakistan has been facing a myriad of issues, but the energy crisis is one such issue that has hit the country hard. The phrase ‘load shedding’ has become a part of our daily vocabulary. Insane and unexpected electricity bills are the talk of the town.
Does Pakistan lack the capacity to generate enough electricity? Why has a sudden hike in the bills taken place? Is the current crisis a result of poor leadership or a natural occurrence? And above all, can this be fixed or not?
From Debt Burden to Economic Growth: A Roadmap for Pakistan’s Recovery
Faryal Khan discusses pakistan’s external debt and liabilities, proposing measures for the country’s economic recovery and growth. Drawing inspiration from successful examples and policies implemented by other countries, this article suggests policies such as improving the investment climate, reducing the cost of doing business, promoting renewable energy, and implementing microfinance policies. By adopting these policies, Pakistan can create a favourable business environment, attract more investment, and ultimately boost its economy. This proposed roadmap aims to help Pakistan transition from a debt burden to a path of economic growth and prosperity.
The Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan
Established in 1924 as a federal law enforcement agency, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) ensures transparent revenue generation through tax collection.
Using modern techniques, the professional workforce maintains the integrity of the institution by performing its duties while seeking to develop a healthy relationship with taxpayers.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: 10 Years and Beyond
It’s been a decade since the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50 billion project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
While many believe that the project has failed in many respects, Ayesha Shaikh shares what it is and what it isn’t.
Pakistan’s Economic Woes: Exploring the Roots and Possible Solutions of the Crisis
Rida Raja delves deep into the economic crisis of Pakistan to get a more holistic, detailed, and long-term picture. She uses a factual and statistical approach to draw an economic understanding of the country’s ongoing crisis.
She discusses what the reasons behind the economic crisis really are, i.e. lower productivity growth, lower savings rate, untapped export potential, and limited integration with global value chains.
Rida proposes a few solutions to these issues, considering each of the country’s major economic sectors separately.
The First Battle of Panipat
The First Battle of Panipat, which took place on April 21, 1526, is remembered as a turning point in Indian history.
Sultan Ibrahim Lodi’s forces and the Mughal Army under Mughal emperor Babur (a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur) fought a titanic battle. This crucial conflict changed the course of history by establishing Mughal control in the Indian subcontinent.
Interestingly enough, the Mughals introduced gunpowder-powered weapons and field artillery to the Indian subcontinent in this fight, setting new standards for warfare at the time.
Land Reforms of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Land reforms in Pakistan have been a contested issue for years. Since the era of General Ayub Khan, efforts to introduce land reforms for a more just distribution of property have been witnessed in Pakistan. The Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime introduced two land reform acts (in 1972 and 1977) targeting land ownership, redistribution, and landlord-tenant relationships. Laiba Umer Malik analyzes the effects of Bhutto’s land reforms and the issues in their implementation in an effort to address why unequal property rights still linger in Pakistan.
The Caretaker Government in Pakistan
The international arena today is dominated by democratic political systems which prompt the election of leaders by the will of the people. The purpose of democracy is to ensure a social contract that guarantees an informed decision on the part of the population. During the period of transition, the country is run by a caretaker or interim government that is responsible for the temporary management of people’s affairs and for overseeing the election process. On 14th August 2023, Anwarul Haq Kakar was sworn in as the caretaker Prime Minister. With PM Kakar also came a 16-member caretaker federal cabinet. Is the caretaker government expected to overstay its term?
Energy Predicament of Pakistan: SWOT Analysis and Way Forward
Safia Mansoor holistically covers the various dynamics of Pakistan’s energy crisis and the threats to Pakistan’s power sector by using the SWOT analysis. Strengths of Pakistan’s energy sector are massive coal reserves alongside wind, solar, and hydro energy potential, whereas the weaknesses include poor governance, inadequate role of DISCOs, T&D losses, corruption, and energy supply chain problems.
She also highlights various opportunities such as CPEC energy projects and clean & green energy technologies. Most importantly, the threats to the country’s energy sector are also discussed which include circular debt and lack of energy diversification.
She concludes that political, institutional, economic and technical reforms are need of time to deal with worsening power crisis of country.
The Thriving Cotton Market of Pakistan
The favorable climate and rich soil of Pakistan create an ideal environment for cotton cultivation.
In FY2018-19, it was noted that the cotton market accounted for 0.8% of the country’s GDP.
Fizza Batool explores the various factors that contribute to Pakistan’s competitive advantage while also pointing to strong competitors that have appeared such as Bangladesh.
Unveiling the Legacy: How Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaped Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Fatimah Naeem delves into the tumultuous era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership in Pakistan and the profound impact it had on the country’s foreign policy. With a vision of assertive diplomacy, Bhutto navigated a complex geopolitical landscape, facing both formidable challenges and remarkable triumphs. From his ambitious pursuit of nuclear capability to the redefinition of Pakistan’s role in the Muslim World, the author explores the changes in Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and the US.
The Notorious Practice of Custodial Torture in Pakistan
Custodial torture, or torture in custody, is often used as a tool by the perpetrators of justice, i.e., law enforcement agencies.
Rida Zaman asserts that these so-called custodians of justice contribute to the waning of the just and fair standards of the criminal justice system.
She also notes that the relevant legislation, the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2023, suffers from procedural and substantive deficiencies.
PMS vs CSS Exams in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Comparison
The Central Superior Services (CSS) and Provincial Management Services (PMS) exams are two of the most sought-after competitive exams in Pakistan. Both CSS and PMS exams are known for their rigorous selection process, and those who pass them are considered among the most talented and capable individuals in the country. However, despite their similarities, there are several key differences between the exams that aspiring candidates should be aware of.
