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The Global Economy at a Crossroads: Risks, Shifts, and Opportunities

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A Defining Moment for the World Economy Not since the aftermath of the Second World War has the global economy faced such a defining crossroads. The combination of post-pandemic recovery, geopolitical rivalries, climate pressures, and rapid technological disruption—especially the pervasive rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—has created both extraordinary risks and unprecedented opportunities. For governments, businesses, and individuals in Burewala, Punjab, Pakistan, and across the globe, understanding these shifts is no longer optional—it is essential for survival and growth. Slowing Growth, Sticky Inflation Global growth is slowing compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to the IMF, world GDP is expected to hover around 3% in the coming years—lower than the 3.8% average of the previous two decades. Inflation, though easing in some advanced economies, remains stubborn in others, forcing central banks to keep interest rates higher for longer. These global trends have direct implic...
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A Nation’s Paradox: How Systemic Corruption Cripples Pakistan’s Future

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  The Paradox of Plenty Pakistan is a land of paradoxes. It has mountains of copper and gold, fertile valleys, and one of the youngest workforces in the world. More than 64% of its citizens are under 30—a demographic blessing that could power an economic miracle ( UNDP Report ). And yet, Pakistan continues to stumble. Poverty deepens, instability lingers, and its institutions remain fragile. The tragedy is not a lack of resources or talent—it is the betrayal of public service. Here, politics is not a duty. It’s an investment portfolio. The Foundation of Flawed Intentions The rot begins at the entry gates of the state. The Central Superior Services ( CSS ), Provincial Civil Services ( PCS ), and judicial recruitment exams were meant to select the nation’s best minds. But these exams measure memory, not morality. They reward rote brilliance, not honesty. For many, passing them is less about serving the people and more about entering a lucrative marketplace of power. A government job ...
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The Silent Theft: How “Long Absence Dispossession” Undermines Justice in Pakistan – and Blocks Foreign Investment

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Long absence creates opportunities for illegal possession, a silent theft affecting thousands. In my ongoing work, particularly in “ The Hidden Engine of South Asia ,” I’ve tried to shed light on the unseen economic forces that truly sustain our region – the common citizens. Yet too often, these very individuals find themselves at the mercy of a system that fails to protect their most fundamental rights, especially when it comes to property. This problem is not just a personal tragedy for victims—it has national consequences. Weak property protections scare away investors. For a country like Pakistan, which urgently needs foreign direct investment (FDI) to fill its current account gap and boost growth, the inability to guarantee secure land ownership becomes a hidden but powerful deterrent. Today, I want to address a specific, pervasive, and deeply insidious form of injustice: “long absence dispossession.” A Law with Potential but Failing in Practice Pakistan has a potent law, the Ille...
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When Institutions Fail Both the People — and Their Own People

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Recently, I accompanied someone to an Anti-Corruption Department office in Pakistan, where he had filed a complaint in a property fraud case. I wasn’t directly involved — just there to help clarify the matter, as I had some background understanding of how the system works. What I saw was deeply troubling. Applicants were being mistreated, asked irrelevant questions, and in some cases even threatened into withdrawing their complaints. The behavior was so discouraging that many walked away without hope. There was no proper guidance, no dignity in the process — just confusion and fear. The specific case I witnessed was simple — and should never have taken long to resolve. A man had purchased land and paid all official dues, including the FBR fee, through a government employee. The registry was processed and approved — and everyone assumed the fee had been paid. But here lies the failure: At the time of registry, no one in the office checked the actual status of the FBR payment. The system...
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