Partly Facetious : Fielding change!

“I noted the fielding change by The Khan subsequent to the sugar and flour inquiry report, but my question is who is the spare now?" “The most...

Partly Facetious : They may be forgiven

“In the clash of the titans one had to lose." “Are you by any chance referring to Jehangir Tareen versus Azam Khan?" “Indeed." “Well, for...

Spending without due process not advised

Primary deficit of 0.6 percent with singular lack of focus on the fiscal deficit (7.2 percent was set as the target for 2019-20 – identical to what...

Partly Facetious: PM is not doing too badly

“There is nothing that can bring out inefficiencies and lack of preparedness as a natural disaster." “Including a pandemic!" “Without doubt." ...

Partly Facetious: This is not the time to urge anyone

“I would urge The Khan to urgently revisit some of the same-o, same-o actions." “This not the time to urge anyone to do anything other than to...

Partly Facetious : Khan’s anti-corona ‘tiger force’

“I have a theory." “Oh dear Lord not now when the country, nay the entire world, is struggling to overcome the pandemic and…" “But…" ...

Partly Facetious : Zardari hasn’t said a word for ages

“One question, how are the supporters of Z A Bhutto and daughter Benazir referred to?" “Jiyalas and need I add more than a decade after Benazir...

Discount rate at 11 percent – is that enough? – II

The reported claim by the SBP Governor and Dr Hafeez Sheikh that the main selling point for a high discount rate is its linkage to the rate payable by...

Partly Facetious: ‘The Khan needs to do a Khan’

“So what do you reckon? First timers are doing a good job?" “I resent that because that is one person specific, you can't do that! It's neither...

Discount rate at 11pc – is that enough? – I

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting chaired by Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr Reza Baqir held on 17 March 2020 decided to reduce the...

Partly Facetious: World struggling to cope with coronavirus pandemic

“How many nations did we destroy…" “Stop, this is no time for this." “But, surely this is the time for all nations to come together and to...

Partly Facetious: That’s politics my friend…

“The Prime Minister has come of age." “I reckon barring two elements of activity he came of age a long time ago." “I disagree." “Well,...

Partly Facetious : PM deserves praise

“Did you hear the latest?" “I did, and let me tell you that I fully support the Prime Minister's stance that the press conference was coronavirus...

Partly Facetious : The Covid-19 challenge

“The Prime Minister should have informed the nation that the military had been called in aid of civil institutions to ensure that his directions...

Partly Facetious: PM’s approach to coronavirus spread

“I agree a hundred percent with The Khan." “I too am a Khanzadeh but I don't agree with The Khan's refusal to a countrywide lock down, I mean...

Partly Facetious: The coronavirus pandemic

“It's a marvel!" “Not a marvel it's…it's the exact opposite. The coronavirus is like the plague and no one is immune and…" “I totally...

Partly Facetious: Dr Sheikh needs to reduce indirect taxes

“I reckon a switcheroo is in order." “If you dare refer to a minus one formula I will heap abuse on you, I will…" “No, though The Khan's...

Partly Facetious: ‘Hot’ money is going out in any case

“What does a country where demand contraction is the strategy do when demand begins to contract in any case due to the Coronavirus." “Other...

Partly Facetious : Hustle and bustle of our markets

“Ghabrana nahin, don't worry, so said The Khan." “And that is what all other world leaders are saying to their public, it is necessary to stop...

State of the economy

The debate on a charter of economy has resurfaced as the burden on the common man in terms of erosion of the rupee domestically (inflation rate...

Partly Facetious : The in-laws don’t change unless…

“Our desi Ivanka went a-calling and there was one more prominent arrest." “Don't be indiscreet, in your attempt to please the current czars don't...

Partly Facetious : It’s hard to forgive, forget

“So physical presence is the most potent element in politics and…" “You do realize that modern technology, cheap and very effective, has been...

Partly Facetious: Meghan is a typical daughter-in-law

“I sometimes wonder if Maryam Nawaz is a Meghan Markle instead of Ivanka." “I don't get you, both women are famous, and they are famous because...

Partly Facetious : The Ultimate Captain

“Another one bites the dust!" “I assume you are referring to the latest resignation?" “Indeed. What I find interesting is that it is people...

Partly Facetious: Thinking out of the box

“I heard that the Prime Minister is not hands-on with respect to the economy but does read weekly summaries…" “Ah ha!" “What? I would have...

Inflation on a downward trajectory

Nothing can erode a political government's popularity faster than a rise in inflation accompanied by an income raise lower than the rate of inflation....

Partly Facetious: The PML(N)-MQM meeting

“What's with the PML-N and the MQM meeting?" “Strange, hunh!" “Indeed, it's not as if the PML-N has the government in Sindh and it's not as if...

Partly Facetious : Inflation declines!

“Things are looking up I say, inflation is down by a little over 1 percent!" “OK my friend, but it's still around 12.4 percent, now in my book...

Partly Facetious : The travails of top leadership

“Halleluiah!" “I told you it isn't a Muslim expression." “And as I told you it simply means praise be to Allah even if it's used by the Jews...

Partly Facetious : What is human trait?

“Letting go is a human trait that people of all cultures with different values and different religions appreciate greatly." “I don't get you." ...

Partly Facetious : They have already become spoilers

“Spoiler alert." “I don't agree with that statement. I mean what makes you assume that a spoiler is always bad?" “A deal is an agreement...

The rationale for high discount rate

The insistence by the State Bank of Pakistan to keep the discount rate at 13.25 percent since 20 July 2019, which implies a two to three percentage...

Partly Facetious: Coronavirus in Pakistan

“It is extremely unfortunate…" “Well inflation, especially food inflation, is extremely high but you know its poor management and…" “I...

Partly Facetious : Listing IK’s achievements!

“I want you to list The Khan's achievements." “Control of locusts is certainly not one of his achievements! I mean I am not sure how badly crops...

Partly Facetious : The ‘ordeal’ of the Sharifs

“Once you are out you are out." “True, but if you retain a dear and near one then you can ensure someone remains ‘in' even if they are...

Partly Facetious : Checkmate!

“The Khan has come up with a very effective governance measure to checkmate those with a personality disorder." “Well, Wife Number Three (WNT)...

Ideology versus technocracy

The debate on whether to employ a technocrat, with no party affiliations, over and above an ideologue, who supports the party's ideology, was never...

Partly Facetious: A sign of strength or weakness?

“I am confused – is it a sign of strength or weakness?" “Look at the glass as half full." “That doesn't answer my question." “I am not...

Partly Facetious: But PM is a man of integrity…

“I have found the solution to keep the dratted media in check." “The Khan doesn't like to get advice from the likes of you, besides his...

Truths, half truths and then…

The unchallenged legacy of Donald Trump's presidency has been an almost routine fact-check of all statements he makes. This exercise has become...

Partly Facetious: Erdogan in capital

“Erdogan arrived and I had to face the worst-ever traffic crisis during the past seven years." “I would like to correct you, he arrived with his...

Partly Facetious : The ‘hollowed’ IMF corridors

“Hafeez Sheikh said those who are criticising the International Monetary Fund package would not be allowed in the hallowed IMF corridors in...

Partly Facetious: Buzdar is a PM’s nominee

“So has The Khan finally realized that his long term party loyalists in the Cabinet are the only defenders in public of the policies of the...

Partly Facetious : Dealing with detractors

“The Khan and his cricket contingent must draw lessons from the Oscars." “In what way?" “In how to silence detractors." “I don't get it." ...

PARTLY FACETIOUS: Rising food inflation

“As a matter of curiosity what steps are The Khan likely to take to control inflation?" “First of all, as a producer of sugar and flour I want to...

Data integrity remains an issue

Prime Minister Imran Khan's signature Ehsaas programme launched on 27 March 2019 with his Policy Statement uploaded on the website highlights the need...

Partly Facetious: ‘Water, water everywhere…’

Partly Facetious : There are many disenchanted Kashmiris

“It's not as if I am a Khanzadeh anymore given the rate of inflation…." “Hmmm, there are many disenchanted Kashmiris because of inflation in...

Partly Facetious : That reminds me of MPS

“I would sincerely request Prime Minister Khan to become my ambassador." “Are you from occupied Jammu & Kashmir cause The Khan has already said...

Partly Facetious : Pakistanis in Wuhan

“Why can't the government recall its citizens in China and quarantine them…" “There are two relevant assumptions being made here. First,...