‘Economic Security of Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward’: Special Report Launched

NHT REPORT
ISLAMABAD, August 22: The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) held a launch of its Special Report titled, “Economic Security of Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward”. The Chief Guest of the event was Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue.
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary, DG ISSI, welcomed the speakers and shared the idea behind launching the report. He stated that national security should be measured on a tripod of economic security, human security, and traditional security and the primacy given to Pakistan’s economic security in the overall national security calculus is a step in the right direction.
Dr. NeelumNigar, Director of CSP highlighted the importance of economic security in Pakistan. . Chief Guest, Dr. Aisha G. Pasha, stated that currently there is no imminent threat of default as the government has secured external financial needs for the year 2023. She also emphasized the need of structural reforms of permanent nature with the consensus of all stakeholders. She proposed increasing tax compliance and implementation of right taxation policy to achieve long-term sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Abid Q. Suleri, discussed the economic history of Pakistan. He listed some of the chronic, medium and short-term challenges to Pakistan’s economic security.
Ambassador SeemaIlahi Bloch emphasized on a link between economic development and gender equality. She maintained that there is a dire need to address the barriers that impede women’s development in Pakistan as it directly impacts economic development.
Mr. Zafar ulHasan emphasized that in order to ensure national economic security, there is a need to develop sustainable economic growth. He proposed that Pakistan should redirect investment from infrastructure to developing human capabilities.
Mr. Amir Zafar Durrani, while addressing challenges to economic security of Pakistan, highlighted a nexus between elites and poor governance. He highlighted the loopholes in the taxation system of Pakistan.