Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad

On May 5, 2025, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced a highly anticipated move: the reduction of its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points, bringing it down to 11% from 12%. This marks a significant pivot in Pakistan’s monetary policy strategy after nearly two years of aggressive tightening. The central bank’s decision, which […]

As Pakistan faces a challenging economic situation marked by persistent balance of payments pressures, rising debt obligations, and geopolitical uncertainties, the country is actively exploring new financial strategies to stabilize its economy and diversify funding sources. Two major initiatives currently underway are the expansion of its currency swap line with China and the issuance of […]

In April 2025, Islamabad hosted a landmark event that could reshape the economic destiny of Pakistan: the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF25). Attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, international investors, geological experts, and major corporate players, the forum marked a turning point in the country’s pursuit of […]

In a decisive shift in trade policy, the United States has imposed a 29% import tariff on Pakistani goods, a move that risks destabilizing one of South Asia’s key economies. Described by the U.S. administration as a reciprocal response to Pakistan’s high tariff wall on American products, the measure affects over $5 billion in Pakistani […]

The global economy stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the effects of rising protectionism, economic slowdowns, and shifting financial policies. Trade wars between major economies have intensified, leading to increased tariffs, disrupted supply chains, and rising costs for businesses and consumers alike. The United States has imposed steep import duties, prompting retaliatory measures from […]

Pakistan’s economic future remains a topic of intense debate as the country grapples with structural inefficiencies, mounting external debt, and an over-reliance on international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund. While short-term bailouts provide temporary relief, a long-term strategy focused on self-sufficiency is necessary for sustainable economic growth. Reducing IMF dependency, leveraging regional […]

The sugar price control crisis in Punjab has once again placed a heavy burden on consumers and industry stakeholders. As of March 2025, sugar prices in the open market have surged to Rs. 160 to Rs. 180 per kilogram, forcing many households to cut back on consumption. In response, the Punjab government has stepped in […]

The Roosevelt Hotel, a grand old dame of Midtown Manhattan, has seen it all. She’s played host to power brokers, movie stars, and dreamers chasing the American promise. She’s stood tall through the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, world wars, and the shifting tides of real estate fortunes. But now, in a twist soaked in […]

There is a curious alchemy to markets. They are places where transactions occur, but more than that, they are places where lives intersect. Stand in the middle of a bustling bazaar in Lahore, Delhi, or Dhaka, and you will find that the rhythm is the same-the bargaining, the haggling, the occasional raised voice followed by […]

I remember the first time I stood in the middle of a wheat field in Punjab, the golden stalks swaying like a restless sea, whispering stories of abundance and struggle. Farming has always been the heartbeat of this land, an unbreakable bond between the people and the soil. But times are changing, and the fields […]