June 10: The informal sector is considered the backbone of the economy since it provides basic intermediate goods to the formal sector. For the most part, it features small scale industries while large and medium enterprises are part of the formal sector. In 1990, Kibria wrote, based on the findings of a survey, that there are about 20,000 engineering units in the informal/unorganised sector, which provide 37 types of machine tools and 30 different types of chemical and acid plants. Approximately 500 small units provide components which are used in assembling tractors. Among several misconceptions, two important ones related to the informal sector beg clarification. First, a study carried out at PIDE by Kemal and Qasim in 2012 estimated the undocumented economy stood at 91.4 percent in … [Read more...]
61-day fishing ban, hard times for fishermen
KARACHI, June 3: Scrap dealers and shopkeepers selling used electronic appliances are arriving at city’s historical fishermen settlement Ibrahim Hyderi to buy used item on low rate as the official ban on fishing started from June 1. During the 61-day long official ban on catch of shrimp and some fish species, the poorest fishermen of the colony will start selling their precious electronic items to these shopkeepers to make both ends meet. The ban on fishing started from June 01 and will continue until July 31. During this officially off fishing season, there is no wedding ceremony, which is being celebrated in traditional ways otherwise. “When fishermen are not allowed to fish for two months, what else they can do than selling their valuables, it is a normal practice every … [Read more...]
Long hours for little pay
June 3: “I don’t know if that is how it is everywhere, but in Pakistan, the common man and woman work long hours and receive little pay”, says Umer Saddique Ansari (26). “When I was through with my FSc exam at secondary school, I continued with a one-year computer course and some other training, and then I began applying for jobs. Alas, I had no luck at all. Very few even bothered to reply me.” “I didn’t know what to do. After some time, I realised that I couldn’t spend the whole day watching TV and playing football,” Umer adds. He hails from Sialkot, a city that has now become know for its football-making industry. Well, and earlier, it was better known for having fostered Pakistan’s greatest poet Allama Iqbal. Umer grew up in Islamabad where his father runs a … [Read more...]
Down to business
May 13: A new political leadership has been chosen by the people of Pakistan. Another opportunity has been provided to politicians to form governments at the national and provincial levels, while those left behind are set to become opposition members. The voter turnover demonstrates the confidence of the people in the electoral process and their hope to elect a political party that can deliver. Let us hope that this time around their confidence is not shattered. The euphoria over the hotly contested elections, despite the looming security threat, was understandable. However, it should now be over as the enormous challenges that await the elected government demand an immediate and prudent action plan to pull the country out of the current quagmire of multifarious crises. Various … [Read more...]