Transcribed Image Text: debt crisis. Exports stagnated and Pakistan lost its intemational markets. While both the Nawaz
Sharif and Benazir Bhutto governments supported free market economy and privatization policies,
neither were able to successfully implement them because there was no political will to reform the
rent-seeking activities of the ruling elite.
Assignment 1
Economic growth and development in Pakistan: Historical Analysis and Future Outlook
Despite huge economic odds after independence, Pakistan's economy was growing at an
impressive rate of 6 percent per annum in the first four decades of its existence. But Pakistan could
not sustain its good economic performance because of dependency on foreign assistance and
imports and inability to develop human capital. While wars, terrorism, geo-strategic factors and
political upheavals have restricted Pak economy from reaching its potential, deep-rooted
institutional inefficiency and elite capture is proving to be the greatest hurdle in turnaround of Pak
economy.
In 1999, there was a military take,over by General Pervaiz Musharraf. Economic policies during
this time were able to avert debt crises. Again, there was injection of foreign capital from United
States as Pakistan became a frontline state in war against terror in the aftemath of 9/11 bombings.
While the Musharraf regime did bring in a team of IMF trained economic managers to achieve
economic reform, and democratic transformations were initiated such as giving media freedom,
local govemment and women representation in assemblies, still the productive capacity of the
economy was not enhanced especially nothing was done to avert future energy shortages.
Since 2008, there have been 3 democratically elected govermments in power. But PAK economy
has not been able to break away from cycles of balance of payment crises and dwindling foreign
exchange reserves followed by an IMF emergency program. These programs help to avert the
economic default, but at the cost of low growth and high inflation. The PPP govemment of Asif
Ali Zardari and Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani was marred by rise in violence particularly in Pakistan's
economic hub of Karachi, corruption, and unsustainable economic policies targeted at engaging
political elite rather than restoring the economy. In 2013, PML (N) govermment was elected with
a two third majority in Parliament. However, due to a highly personalized style of govemance,
widening development gap between northem Punjab and the rest of the country and confrontation
with military establishment, the needed structural economic reform never materialized. In 2018,
the PTI government under Imran Khan had to contend with a huge fiscal and balance of payment
deficit and low foreign reserves. Despite, its initial reluctance, the govermment had no choice but
to borrow from IMF again and GDP growth was bound to stall as a result. However, Pakistan's
current economic difficulties are also an outcome of government struggle to instill business
confidence, reform public sector enterprises, correct the taxation system, address the issue of
circular debt in power sector, substantially increase exports despite a huge devaluation of currency,
control food inflation resulting from activities of mafias and poor harvests and dealing with a
belligerent opposition and intemal dissent within the ruling coalition. Over and above these issues,
the COVID-19 closures and lockdowns caused shrinkage of the PAK economy in 2020. There is
some positive news on the economic front because remittances have increased, foreign reserves
are going up and the currency seems to be stabilizing without intervention. Construction and textile
sectors are picking up. Concerted efforts are being made to document the economy. Yet the
economic and political situation remains fragile.
In the 1960s, Pakistan was adopting state capitalism for rapid economic development. During this
time agricultural and industrial production increased rapidly, dams were built for energy
generation, highways were constructed, private businesses flourished, and poverty levels were
reduced significantly. This was so called "Golden Era" for Pakistan in terms of economic growth,
but it happened under a military dictatorship, only 43 families were owning all business
enterprises, and growth was made possīble through generous foreign aid from United States.
Political upheaval in the 1970s which led to separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan, brought into
power the regime of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who adopted a socialist agenda, forcefully taking over
private businesses and putting them under government control. While this nationalism drive was
meant to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, in actuality poverty, income inequality and
inflation increased. Economic growth started declining, PAK rupee started losing value and public
debt became a problem. Bhutto was a democratically elected leader, but his management was
autocratic. To empower himself he politicized government offices and systematic corruption
started taking root.
In the 1980s, military government of general Zia-ul-Hag, again liberalized the economy and made
it market-oriented. A tremendous boost to economic activity was provided by rising worker
remittances. Also, the United States provided huge amount of financial assistance to Pakistan for
supporting the war in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union. This enabled an increase in the GDP
growth of more than 6%. However, Pakistan's saving rates and exports remained low and
investment in human development and infrastructure development was sidelined and debt burden
increased. To hold on to power, Zia enforced a strict version of Islamic Ideology, promoted through
the state-controlled media and madrassas which were linked with militant religious organizations
engaged in the Afghan war. This gave rise to extremist violence, weakening the state and adversely
affecting investment and sustainable growth in subsequent years.
The key factors contributing to the resilience and dynamism of PAK economy:
Overall, looking at the economic history of Pakistan, it is evident that there has been economic
decline. Pakistan's economy is further away from achieving 5Es than it was in the 1960s. While
incomes have grown, only the elite and privileged classes have benefitted from growth.
No single economic policy, regime or institution can be blamed for this situation. Nor can there be
a simple or easy solution.
In the 1990s, there was return to democracy, but the economy suffered from poor govemance,
corruption and low growth as power alternated between the Pakistan People's Party under Benazir
Bhutto and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) led by Nawaz Sharif. The GDP growth rate went
down to 4 percent and Pakistan faced persistent deficits in revenue and foreign trade, triggering a
Transcribed Image Text: But it is worth considering the key factors contributing to the resilience and dynamism of PAK
economy, which have helped the country survive economic debacles and build a positive economic
outlook in future:
• A young population (65% is in working age bracket) having some access to information
technology, creates self-employment opportunities particularly in the services sector.
• Alarge informal sector which is not captured in official statistics, but nevertheless provides
employment and sustains consumption growth.
Remittances from Pakistanis working abroad help to improve living standards, reduce
poverty and positively impact Balance of payment.
Economic empowerment of women while happening very slowly, is also an untapped area
of inclusive and sustainable growth.
State Bank of Pakistan has been performing quite well in recent years in implementing a
balanced monetary policy and financial inclusion especially by promoting branchless
banking.
With all its flaws, the democratic process has continued in Pakistan for more than a decade
with the military not taking part in political decision making, at least overtly. As a result,
remarkable success has been achieved in war against terror and security situation across
the country. At the same time there seems to be a growing consensus that economic
recovery is vital for safeguarding national security in the long run.
Assignment Li
Read Pakistan's economic history carefully.
Based on this assessment do you think Pakistan economic situation will improve or deteriorate in
next 5 years? Explain
Describe 5 economic strategies for macroeconomic turnaround in Pakistan.