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PARTLY FACETIOUS: The gap between the leadership’s narrative and reality

“There is one very obvious lesson that should be learnt and yet not being learnt.” “Hmmmmm.” “What?” “Few understand the widening gap...

yesterday 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: SIS or ISI?

“A former officer of the SIS has been declared sanctioned…” “You are so badly informed. First General Faiz Hameed is not a former SIS officer...

25.12.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

Partly Facetious: ‘Once a Mr Ji always a Mr Ji’

“I would advise Mr Ji…” “You got his name wrong – it’s Mr Xi and that’s not how the likes of you should address him – he is President...

24.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

OPINION: The flaws in the narrative

The narrative that the economy has stabilized and is now embarked on the road to growth is not finding traction with the general public. The reason:...

23.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: US bureaucrats can learn from our bureaucrats

“You know whose example we should follow? President Trump’s.” “That’s a first for you. You used to argue that our chief executives were...

21.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

Partly Facetious: The challenge of live telecast

“One QUESTION: who advised the 60 plus channels to show President Trump’s address to the US Jewish community live on the occasion of the first day...

20.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Trump wants to normalise relations with Russia

“So the oil sector deal is ongoing with Russia?” “Indeed it is.” “Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t Russia heavily sanctioned?”...

19.12.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Is the media still referred to as the fourth estate?

“I have a question.” “Careful what you ask for?” “Hey, I am not asking for any material…” “Have you heard the one where a teacher...

18.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The number of MoUs signed by PM has broken all previous records?

“The Interior Minister was in the UK, then I think Iraq, and then in the US on a road show.” “No trip to the Vatican this time.” “Shut up,...

17.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

OPINION: IMF: challenges for the third review

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its second review of the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the first review of the Resilience and...

16.12.2025 50

Anjum Ibrahim

IMF: challenges for the third review

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its second review of the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the first review of the Resilience and...

16.12.2025 50

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’

“The sisters and loyalists of The Man Who Must Remain Nameless and Faceless were water cannoned at was it 2 in the morning…” “Yes I heard,...

14.12.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: A case of attempted political suicide?

“Can you itemize the unnatural ways of dying for me?” “That’s rather a macabre subject this early in the morning.” “Bear with me.”...

13.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

“Popularity rating for the Big Three has plummeted to unprecedented…” “Fake news, everyone loves The Big Three, though the love meter is...

12.12.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The difference between words ‘micro’ and ‘macro’

“I propose that…” “Micro or macro proposal?” “I don’t understand.” “Is it related to you personally, or is it related to the...

11.12.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: What’s a lose-lose crop?

“So, how do you revive cotton output?” “I guess you use higher yield variety of seeds, you make sure that…that…” “What?” “Well that...

10.12.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

OPINION: NFC Award

There is a strong rumour circulating in the corridors of power that the imminent tabling of the twenty-eighth constitutional amendment, openly...

09.12.2025 50

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Defining the phrase ‘going bananas’

“How do you define high level?” “It depends on the context, for example if the Chief Executive Officer of any company is in attendance then...

29.11.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The narrative of one country may not match another’s

“I will propose to President Trump…” “You know he doesn’t like proposals from somebodies, leave alone nobodies.” “I don’t...

28.11.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Where’s CM — haven’t seen her on TV for a while?

“Structural reforms?” “What about them?” “How do you define structural reforms.” “Hey, I am just a plebeian – what do I know?” “A...

22.11.2025 30

Anjum Ibrahim

Primary balance

Since 2019 the three International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes for Pakistan focused more on primary as opposed to fiscal balance calculated as a...

11.11.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Dar gets more coverage than…

“So the twenty-seventh amendment is not coming from somewhere else?” “Straight from the horse’s mouth.” “Hey Tarar sahib, the Law...

07.11.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Your focus determines your reality

“Where’s the focus, you reckon?” “Depends on which side of the wheel you are at?” “Excuse me?” “What I mean is if you are a member of...

06.11.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Forked tongue is defined as saying one thing and meaning the opposite

“So who was not speaking with a forked tongue?” “IF you are referring to the unseating of the Azad Jammu Kashmir government then let me assure...

01.11.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Interior Minister and Chairman of Cricket Board two portfolios that go together?

“I was thinking of what you said.” “About what? The failure of the talks in Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan?” “Do you reckon the...

01.11.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Is he doing a Chaudhary Nisar?

“I want to take a minute to thank the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board…” “That’s a first.” “Indeed, I have seen the light!”...

30.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

The divergent economic narrative

A widely divergent narrative on the state of the economy is by now visibly apparent between the assessment by the general public and those loyal to...

28.10.2025 30

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Differences in the way tomato is pronounced

“You say tomaaato the English way and I say tomato the US way.” “So what? The English spoken in Australia is different from that spoken in...

26.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: A bulletproof car is actually bulletproof?

“So three of the bulletproof cars given to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, I believe, are defective.” “See how far we take our political differences,...

25.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: There are selections and then there are selectors

“You know I have noticed…” “Me too, I would strongly urge the West to learn the game of chess.” “What?” “Chess, where you time a move...

25.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Taliban not really known for adhering to peace treaties

“I don’t understand why the Pakistan-Afghan peace talks are being negotiated by two countries - Qatar and Turkiye and…wait, I am not finished...

23.10.2025 40

Anjum Ibrahim

IMF SLA

At the end of the International Mo netary Fund (IMF) mission (24 September to 8 October 2025) a press release was issued noting “significant...

21.10.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Recovery, stability, and growth

“So stability has been achieved but not growth.” “Right, that is the mantra!” “What do you mean?” “You want my definition or the...

19.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The Trump way is not working out

“I am having some issues at home and…” “And why would that interest me? Oh, wait, is home defined as the entire country?” “No, just my...

17.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Sticks and stones may break my bones…

“For those who reckon our Prime Minister is a tad too generous in his effusive praise…” “Since you are clearly into a reverse proverb...

17.10.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Deputies have become a formidable force in the hybrid system

“Too much too soon.” “What is this, a reverse day?” “What?” “Reverse day — the actual proverb is too little too late.” “Oh, that...

15.10.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

Claims and counter claims

There is a visible disconnect between two statistics routinely uploaded on the Finance Division’s website in the monthly Outlook and Update dating...

07.10.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

NFC: Which way the change?

Ministry of Finance held a preparatory session on the National Finance Commission (NFC) award earlier this month followed by concerns voiced by the...

30.09.2025 40

Anjum Ibrahim

Can output rise without incentives?

There is an across the political divide consensus on ensuring private sector as the engine of growth with the historic modus operandi being to extend...

23.09.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The evolving new world order benefitting us

“Sometimes our enemies help us.” “India is not helping us though, to be honest, Indian pervasive influence in international relations is kinda...

21.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: It’s just not cricket to lie to a friend

“Cricket is a game and should be played like a game.” “Correct, and there is a spirit of cricket that must be honoured at all cost, so said the...

20.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The three pillars that are not firmly anchored

“So, how many pillars of state are there?” “You being facetious?” “No.” “You sticking your neck out dangerously.” “How do you come...

19.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Rubio nursing ambitions to become US President?

“So while the Arabic and Muslim countries were condemning Israeli attacks, Marco Rubio was in Tel Aviv reaffirming US’ unflinching support for...

18.09.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: There was a time when our economy was compared to India’s

“The way to steal cash…how can I put it…” “Legally you mean?” “Well, there is no legal cover when you are stealing cash.” “There...

17.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

Pakistan’s ‘charter of economy’

There have been periodic calls for continuity in economic policies, regarded as critical by successive economic team leaders, to achieve development...

16.09.2025 40

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Nawaz Sharif’s action copied by President Trump?

“So we are a nation of contraries.” “Contraries?” “Yes.” “I thought we are a nation of trailblazers – look at the West’s deep state...

14.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Floods expected to reverse gains made by economic team

“So, what’s the fallout?” “Well, the floods in the country would reverse the painstaking economic gains by the economic team leaders...

13.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Why does she always wear heavy makeup?

“What happens if a policeman goes rogue?” “You…promote him!” “You need to expand your horizon, my friend.” “There have been many in...

12.09.2025 10

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Romance with MoUs

“More memoranda of understanding (MoU) or are they binding contracts?” “Look at the glass as half full.” “We signed over 20 billion dollar...

11.09.2025 20

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The difference between ‘good narrative’ and ‘bad narrative’

“What’s the difference between a good narrative and a bad one?” “Depends on how you define bad?” “As not crediblex.” “Oh, I thought...

10.09.2025 20

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PARTLY FACETIOUS: The gap between the leadership’s narrative and reality

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: SIS or ISI?

Anjum Ibrahim

Partly Facetious: ‘Once a Mr Ji always a Mr Ji’

Anjum Ibrahim

OPINION: The flaws in the narrative

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: US bureaucrats can learn from our bureaucrats

Anjum Ibrahim

Partly Facetious: The challenge of live telecast

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Trump wants to normalise relations with Russia

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Is the media still referred to as the fourth estate?

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The number of MoUs signed by PM has broken all previous records?

Anjum Ibrahim

OPINION: IMF: challenges for the third review

Anjum Ibrahim

IMF: challenges for the third review

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: A case of attempted political suicide?

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The difference between words ‘micro’ and ‘macro’

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: What’s a lose-lose crop?

Anjum Ibrahim

OPINION: NFC Award

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Defining the phrase ‘going bananas’

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The narrative of one country may not match another’s

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Where’s CM — haven’t seen her on TV for a while?

Anjum Ibrahim

Primary balance

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Dar gets more coverage than…

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Your focus determines your reality

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Forked tongue is defined as saying one thing and meaning the opposite

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Interior Minister and Chairman of Cricket Board two portfolios that go together?

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Is he doing a Chaudhary Nisar?

Anjum Ibrahim

The divergent economic narrative

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Differences in the way tomato is pronounced

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: A bulletproof car is actually bulletproof?

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: There are selections and then there are selectors

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Taliban not really known for adhering to peace treaties

Anjum Ibrahim

IMF SLA

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Recovery, stability, and growth

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: The Trump way is not working out

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Sticks and stones may break my bones…

Anjum Ibrahim

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Deputies have become a formidable force in the hybrid system

Anjum Ibrahim

Claims and counter claims

Anjum Ibrahim

NFC: Which way the change?

Anjum Ibrahim

Can output rise without incentives?