Author: Maxter ʚïɞ

This author has written 2722 articles

SUMMARY of the Article “Rising Rape,” Dawn, October 13th, 2024

The article critically examines the rampant issue of rape and sexual violence against women and girls, both globally and in Pakistan, highlighting the significant role misogyny plays in this widespread problem. It references recent UNICEF estimates revealing that over 370 million women and girls experienced rape or sexual violence before turning 18, with the highest numbers in sub-Saharan Africa and *eastern/south-eastern Asia, at 79 million and 75 million, respectively. In Pakistan, sexual abuse is alarmingly common, as evidenced by the **2023 report from the Sustainable Social Development Organisation, which documented **10,201 cases of violence against women* in Punjab alone—though most cases go unreported. The root cause of this violence lies in *patriarchal social systems* that objectify women, but the state’s failure to uphold and enforce protective laws exacerbates the issue. Despite *progressive laws* and international commitments, the state’s inconsistent approach—where it passes pro-women policies but hesitates to fully implement them—allows sexual abuse to rise unchecked. The editorial stresses the urgency of investing in resources to implement laws, cleanse law enforcement of impunity, and ensure due process. It emphasizes that without reforming police practices and prioritizing women’s development, especially through access to *education* and *mental health support*, the scars of sexual violence will continue to plague survivors, leaving them unable to lead productive lives or form » Read More…

 SUMMARY of the Article “A Close Watch,” Dawn, October 13th, 2024

This editorial discusses the challenging demands placed on Pakistan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of its $7bn rescue package. Although tough, these demands were anticipated as necessary for stabilizing the country’s economy. The program aims to rebuild Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, improve its tax-to-GDP ratio, and ensure debt sustainability. The IMF’s roadmap for reform includes overhauling the tax system, implementing energy sector reforms, and privatizing and deregulating key sectors. Additionally, the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Special Economic Zones will be scaled back to promote investment neutrality. The government has committed to not providing any special tax or regulatory incentives that could distort the investment landscape. If tax collection falls short by 1% on a three-month rolling basis, the government will introduce additional indirect taxes. Other commitments include cutting gas supplies to captive power plants owned by textile millers and provincial reforms to boost tax collection and end market interventions. While the IMF has acknowledged Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic stability, it cautions that this stability is unlikely to lead to growth unless the country can attract significant investment, which seems unlikely in the short term. The elimination of incentives for foreign companies, especially from China, could hinder plans to attract Chinese investment under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The IMF will closely monitor Pakistan’s adherence to its reform targets, and there is little margin for error as Pakistan must demonstrate every six » Read More…

Choose the correct sentence:
As he is ill, so he cannot come
He is ill though he cannot come
He is ill, he cannot come
As he is ill, he cannot come
Show Answer…
Correct Answer: As he is ill, he cannot come
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He said to her, “Did you not go to the market?”  Choose the correct indirect speech
He told her that she did not go to the market.
He asked her that she did not gone to the market.
He asked her if she had not gone to the market.
He asked her that had she not gone to the market.
Show Answer…
Correct Answer: He asked her if she had not gone to the market.
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SUMMARY of the Article “Three-year reform plan for IMF exit strategy” by Ishrat Husain, Dawn, October 6th, 2024

The article outlines a comprehensive three-year reform plan for Pakistan to smoothly exit the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and achieve self-sustained, non-inflationary growth. It highlights the need for domestic reforms beyond merely stabilizing external accounts. To achieve these goals, the government must increase investment, control fiscal deficits, devolve basic services to local governments, address the energy crisis, and reform the civil service. Key reforms include raising the investment-to-GDP ratio to 20% by FY28, controlling the fiscal deficit at 5%, and achieving a primary surplus of 3%. Public investment should rise to 5% through fiscal consolidation, while private sector investments need to grow, especially in SMEs, agriculture, and key industries like petrochemicals and engineering. The country must tackle its recurring balance-of-payments crises by boosting domestic productive capacity in industry and agriculture to reduce reliance on imports. The energy sector also needs reform, including privatizing distribution companies and providing targeted subsidies through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Additionally, the civil service must undergo modernization, including a merit-based recruitment system and a » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “High Cost of Living,” by Editorial, Dawn, October 4th, 2024

The article discusses the recent slowdown in the rising cost of goods and services in Pakistan, marking a significant reduction in inflation rates. Headline inflation, which fell to a 44-month low of 6.9% in the previous month, is the result of multiple factors including last year’s high base of 31.4%, falling global oil and commodity prices, stabilization of the exchange rate, reduced demand due to decreasing real wages, and strict monetary tightening. Pakistan’s inflation outlook is looking better, with both core inflation and the three-month average inflation rates dipping into single digits, suggesting a slowdown in imported inflation, especially for items such as energy and food. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has responded to these developments by cutting borrowing costs to 17.5% since June, and private businesses are now advocating for an even more aggressive reduction in interest rates in upcoming months. The editorial also mentions the government’s recent initiative to repurchase costly debt maturing in December at a lower interest rate, reflecting expectations of monetary easing. However, the article notes that the overall cost of living continues to rise despite a lower inflation rate, as consumer expenses for goods and services remain high. This is particularly painful for the middle class, who are still struggling with rising grocery prices, school fees, and medical costs. The editorial cautions against the government’s potential temptation to introduce inflationary measures to stimulate growth in an effort to appease the electorate before » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “Mixed Developments” by Khurram Husain, Dawn, October 3rd, 2024

The article discusses Pakistan’s current economic situation, which, though not entirely bleak, remains challenging. The government is nearing the end of the stabilisation phase in economic management, with encouraging steps like the debt buyback plan aimed at reducing the burden of maturing Treasury bills. Domestic debt, now nearly 50% of the country’s GDP, remains a significant concern. Inflation has fallen to below 7%, earlier than projected, due to a tightly controlled money supply, validating the State Bank’s high-interest rates strategy. Despite the improvement in some macroeconomic indicators, such as higher-than-expected revenue grants and a better primary balance, uncertainties persist. The latest IMF projections show some improvements compared to May 2024 forecasts, but the economy’s debt burden and external vulnerabilities remain issues that need long-term resolution. » Read More…