Friday, 29 March 2024, 03:15:31 pm

Analyst praise government’s prudent measures to boost the economy
January 24, 2022

Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig (Economist): The National Security Policy and the constitution of a state serve as guiding principles for devising national policies. The ambit of the National Security Policy of Pakistan has embraced a shift from traditional to non-traditional security perspective. The focus has shifted to economic security and the government has to pursue economic diplomacy to achieve national objectives. Countries like China, India, Iran and Afghanistan incur geo-proximity with Pakistan and have bi/multilateral trade relations. Moreover, some of these states are economic giants and have overarching influence over Bretton Woods’ institutions. Recent increase in the growth rate of Pakistan implies that the incumbent government is taking plausible and pragmatic steps for economic development. Pakistan is undoubtedly facing inflation challenges and the only way out is to increase job opportunities for the public. 

Dr. Shahid Hassan Siddiqui (Economist): The smart lockdown policy of the incumbent government has saved the country from economic turmoil. The pandemic has uprooted the economic pillars of even the stable economies like India. The vigilance of the leadership of the PTI government has averted the economic catastrophe. Pakistan is currently not under any IMF plan and it was an optimal opportunity for the government to boost growth rate. The incumbent government has rightly cashed on all available opportunities to increase the country's growth rate. But in future, the inflation might increase as Pakistan gets closer to the IMF program. The sudden increase in the interest rate and fluctuations in the oil prices at international markets will pose challenges to Pakistan's economy. Pakistan is an oil importing country and increase in oil price has a direct impact on the price of the basic commodities. Still, the incumbent government has devised a comprehensive national security policy to cope with the upcoming economic challenges. 

Abdullah Gul (IR Expert): Pakistan has been very vocal about the human rights violations in the IIOJ&K at international level. The early leadership of India took the matter of Kashmir to the UN itself which implies that Kashmir is an international issue. But over time the Indian government re-shaped their narrative to serve their heinous parochial interests. The US had signed 68 security agreements with India during the reign of Barrack Obama which boosted their fundamentalist activities. The international community is now acknowledging the narrative of Pakistan over Kashmir dispute which unfolds as Islamabad’s diplomatic success. India has been violating the tenets of international law and the UN resolutions. Modi's government has committed unprecedented violence and he will be facing music in the near future. Moreover, the death of General Bipin Rawat and internal clashes in the Indian Army unveil that pillars of the Indian state are falling apart.  

Dr. Talat Wizarat (IR Expert): Pakistan has always taken diplomatic, legal and optimal measures to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums. Meanwhile, India has always resorted with violence and now state sponsored terrorism to deal with the Kashmir problem. There is a dire need to increase the focus on the Kashmir issue and the government should urge the international community to take notice of human rights violations in IIOJ&K. Pakistan can never establish healthy and egalitarian economic relations with India until the Kashmir issue stays unresolved. The economic dependence of Pakistan on India might provide them with an upper hand that will have adverse consequences for Kashmir valley. The only ray of hope is the completion of the CPEC project that will provide economic strength to Pakistan. With economic stability, Pakistan can more effectively advocate the Kashmir cause at international level.