Muhammad Aftab

While external balances stay in trouble on a long-term basis, more bad news has now hit the economic horizon. The oil bill is projected to rise from $ 11 billion in FY 2010 to $ 14 billion in FY 2011, to $ 38 billion in 2015 and to a backbreaking $ 50 billion in FY […]

Despite the tense situation in which terrorism has landed Pakistan, China, once again, has decided to help Pakistan. Besides boosting trade, it will invest in energy, mineral exploration, motorways construction, special industrial zones, and customs and tariffs harmonisation. These plans were unveiled during Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s just-concluded visit to China on the eve […]

We face a difficult business situation. Our trade deficit is narrowing as exports rise and imports decline. But the question is: how long will this good picture continue? It is the gut issue because prices of commodities and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL), which Pakistan imports, are rising. On the other hand, with other countries […]

Pakistan is eyeing a big export boost on the back of high prices in the international market. But its new and emerging competitors are watching just around the corner to grab at least part of its business. Total exports in first eight months, July-February of the current FY 2011, rose to $ 15.3 billion according […]

Foreign trade is growing, both imports are exports are rising, and Pakistan has posted a current account surplus. The central bank’s latest data for nine months — July-March FY 2011 — indicate, Pakistan posted a $ 99 million surplus, a tremendous achievement compared to the $ 3.106 billion deficit in the like period of FY […]

While forecasting risks to the economy, the central bank has decided to maintain the discount rate (DR) at 14 percent. It says, “Risks to the economy may increase if meaningful economic reforms are not initiated to address the structural weaknesses.” What it means by “economic reforms” include a major cut in government spending, reducing the […]

The economy is still upbeat, as big business makes big profits. General business slowdown, yes. But, after all, it is not that bad. Many big business annual reports announce big profits — again. This is despite the three year-old global financial crisis, a credit squeeze-generated slump in demand, stagnating exports, the July floods and ongoing […]

Even at this early stage of the Middle East-Africa turmoil, investment inflows into Pakistan have been hit. Will they be hit harder still or return to normal times? In order to gear up the economy, the country needs new policies to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). And, lot and lots of good governance. Are they […]

In spite of the overall business slowdown, Pakistani exports have recorded an impressive growth during the seven months to January 2011. But the ongoing (read spreading) political turmoil in the Middle East, Gulf and Africa can inflict substantial strains. Pakistani exports rose 22.66 percent to a total of $ 13.227 billion during July-January period of […]

Pakistan’s big business and top corporates have jointly come out with an impressive agenda to boost business and industry, and counter the economic slowdown. The agenda was launched by the newly formed Pakistan Business Council (PBC). It plans to tackle Pakistan’s economic crisis and the need and opportunity for reforms. The PBC, a grouping of […]