The IMF agrees to enhanced safety nets for the poor no sales tax increase, but shows little flexibility on electricity and gas sector circular debts and untargeted subsidies. By Muhammad Ali.
Economy
Pakistan, IMF eyeing staff level deal today
Islamabad needs the agreement as soon as possible both to replenish its hard currency reserves and to take some pressure off the Pakistani rupee. By Muhammad Ali.
Will IMF heed HRW’s slap on the wrist?
The international rights group has made an impeccable case for why Pakistan needs more flexibility and time to bounce back economically. The question, however is, will the lender of the last resort pay heed? By Ahmer Kureishi.
Dar voices commitment to resilient development
The Finance Minister shared with AIIB chief economist Erik Berglof the economic outlook of the country and apprised the visiting dignitary of the reform agenda of the government for sustainable economic development. By Muhammad Ali.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal. Photo courtesy of APP
Over PKR 87 billion in public spending to blunt hardship
The government is going on a small public spending spree, probably in an effort to blunt the edge of deepening economic hardship in addition to building much-needed infrastructure. By Muhammad Ali.
Bitter pill of stagflation to cure Pakistan’s economic malaise?
In talks with a visiting IMF mission, the Pakistani authorities seem amenable to PKR 200 billion in additional revenues measures plus PKR 100 billion in development spending cuts. By Muhammad Ali.
Gwadar ready to import 100 MW power from Iran
The transmission infrastructure for the import of electricity from Iran to Gwadar has been completed. The future mega-port is also set to link up with the national grid via Jiwani. By Naveed Naqvi.
Pakistan’s energy minister Dr Musadik Malik is seen addressing the media in this undated photo courtesy of APP.
Global north’s development came at a cost to the planet
They clocked faster economic growth in the past and achieved a higher level of development, but their development cost the planet dearly in terms of pollution and environmental degradation. By Naveed Naqvi.
MAP: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Thar as guarantor of Pakistan’s energy security
Senator Mushahid Hussain says CPEC is the single most transformative initiative for Pakistan’s economic development in the last 30 years. By Naveed Naqvi.
Pakistan, IMF deadlocked over the size of minibudget
Although the two sides agree Pakistan’s budget for the current fiscal is broken, there is a yawning gap over how much fresh revenue Islamabad needs to raise to bridge the fiscal gap. By Muhammad Ali.