Author: Syed Fazl-E-Haider

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ast year, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) put Pakistan in Emerging Markets index (EM) from frontier market index (FM). The country was dropped from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index when it imposed a floor on the market during the financial crisis in 2008. The flooring trapped local and foreign investors for several months. The liquidity in the market got a boost last year with the MSCI’s announcement. The average daily value of trades stood at about $200 million in December 2016, which was almost double from a year ago. Since 2008, the market witnessed different reforms including demutualization in order…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan’s ballooning external debt and liabilities continue to burden its economy at a time when the country is facing multiple problems on economic front. Despite tall claims of the present government about putting the economy on growth track, it is undeniable fact that, poverty level would increase in the coming days as dependence on foreign loans would hurt economy, ultimately pushing more and more people below the poverty line. The ruling elite are not ready to give up their luxuries and VIP status in a country where up to 40 percent of its 180 million population live below poverty line…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan has enormous potential to emerge as Pakistan’s new economic frontier. Unfortunately, it still remains the least developed and poorest among the four provinces. Agriculture is the mainstay of provincial economy, as over 75 percent of the population lives in rural areas. The crops contribute about 62 percent of gross farms income. This sector employs 67 percent of Balochistan’s total work force. Naseerabad, Jafarabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Usta Mohammed and many areas of central Balochistan are considered agricultural regions. Except Naseerabad district, there is no perennial system of irrigation. The area depends on rain, Karezat and tube-wells for irrigation.…

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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the third world country like Pakistan, no one can deny the importance of health insurance scheme for the poor and down-trodden sections of society who cannot afford costly treatment for deadly diseases like cancer. Most of third world countries have started health insurance programmes on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). About 55 percent of Pakistanis earn less than $2 a day and the present government has decided to provide health insurance cover to all such people in phases and the data of the Benazir Income Support Programme will be used for the purpose. Last year, former…

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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]nsurance business generally grows on risk perception in a society. Larger the risk level, higher the growth of insurance industry. The risk perception — risks to life, assets and public and private properties — has been higher and widely prevalent in Balochistan where the incidents of target killings and attacks on public and private properties have witnessed a phenomenal growth over the past five years. The reason is the poor law and order situation in the province, which is facing an insurgency-like situation. The other reasons include weak financial system, nominal industrial growth and inconsistent policies, which have so far…

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[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ducation from a moral obligation gradually metamorphosed to commercial venture in Pakistan. Today education is considered a highly profitable business attracting high profile business tycoons for investment in this sector. Education, particularly the professional education, has become a commodity on sale, to say the least. These commercialized trends have perished the social values and educational ethics in Pakistan. It promoted class-consciousness setting a rational paradigm for the private investors in education sector making education a profitable business for them. The product came out from these educational cum commercial institution was the rational, materialist class lacking moral attributes. Naturally, they will…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan has a literacy rate of 39 percent, which is much lower than the national rate. It also lags behind all the three provinces in the Net Enrolment Rate (NER). There is a strong correlation between household income and school enrollment. Long walking distances, lack of basic amenities, and teacher absenteeism are some of the main factors, together with poor-quality teaching and learning materials, that are responsible for low enrollment. Income-based inequities are a leading cause of low access to school education. Official statistics show a dismal state of education in the province, which constitutes 44 percent of the country’s…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan’s annual energy requirements are expected to be more than double to 177 million tons of oil equivalent by the year 2020. The country’s indigenous energy resources are still untapped and not helping the country to meet its pressing energy needs. The energy statistics of Pakistan shows that around 50 percent of the need is met by the indigenous gas production and 29 percent by domestic and imported oil and 11 percent by hydro-electricity. The country faces chronic power shortages due to rapid growth in demand for electricity. Power outages increased significantly due to the widening gap between supply and…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into electricity. Although not yet widely used, tidal energy has potential for future electricity generation. Tidal energy is an environment-friendly and more predictable resource, as compared to wind energy. The cost for establishing a wave energy infrastructure is approximately equal to a wind-based power plant. Tidal energy is produced through the use of tidal energy generators. These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebbing and surging of ocean tides in…

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[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hereas, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) declared in its annual Financial Stability Review (FSR) this month that Pakistan’s financial sector has remained in a sound and stable state at the end of calendar year 2016, it also highlighted the risks the financial sector could be exposed due to the growing political and economic concerns in the region and the world. The regional and global concerns as highlighted by the central bank in its report include the low world economic growth, especially slow growth in advanced economies and oil-price induced economic shocks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The…

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[dropcap]F[/dropcap]inancial inclusion means access to formal financial services including savings, credit, insurance and payments vis-à-vis formal financial intermediaries, at an affordable cost. Today, Pakistan’s financial sector has transformed into a modern and sound financial sector dominated by private banks. The country’s banking sector accounts for 75 percent of financial sector assets. The microfinance sector is significant in terms of financial access. Islamic finance is growing rapidly, and currently accounts for 11 percent of sector assets. The present government has launched the Pakistan Financial Inclusion and Infrastructure Project aimed at increasing access to financial services for households and businesses by improving…

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[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hina has multiplied its investment in Pakistan over the past one decade. Almost, no sector of the country’s economy has left, hence where China has not made investments. The Pakistani market is flooded with Chinese brands. Whether it is telecom, IT, automobile or fashion industry on other. Chinese brands have captured a sizeable consumer market. The demand for low-cost Chinese motorcycles, cars, water heaters and various home appliances has increased manifold in the local market over past one decade. Pakistan is China’s second largest trading partner in south Asia, while China is Pakistan’s second largest source of imports and seventh…

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Franchise model brings improved training, technology and business know how and adding to a growing global mono-culture Retailing in Pakistan is going to be shaped on global retail format soon [dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistani market currently has the presence of leading international fast food franchises and consumer brands, which are successfully doing their business in the country. This franchise model is actually transferring improved training, technology and business know-how to the local market. This model generates world class professional knowhow. There is a lot to learn from this global franchise model both for the local business chains and the consumers. Foreign brands also…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he federal government in the budget for fiscal year 2017-18 has allocated Rs180 billion for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Rs231 billion have already been spent on this mega project since the past three years. Rs160 billion would be spent on the construction of streets and bridges under the project. The federal government has also set Rs44 billion for the Western route of CPEC. Rs1.8 billion have been allocated for the security of the economic corridor. Over a quarter (Rs86 billion) of the total proposed expenditure in the Balochistan budget for fiscal year 2017-18 will be spent on the development…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he PML-(Nawaz)-led Balochistan coalition government unveiled the provincial budget for fiscal year 2017-18 with a total outlay of Rs328 billion. The new budget envisages development program of Rs86 billion including Rs6.01 billion under foreign project assistance (FPA) and current expenditure of Rs242 billion. Almost 16.5 percent of the total development and current expenditure has been set aside for education and 7.4 percent for health. Rs45 billion have been allocated for education sector in the provincial budget 2017-18. The provincial government has evolved a five-year Balochistan education sector plan under which not only new schools will be set up but also…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here are multiple factors pushing people below poverty line in Pakistan. Unemployment is a major factor. With an unemployment rate up to 10 percent, unemployed youth continues to experience the pangs of poverty for they are unable to meet basic needs of life. Unemployment is rampant not only among the unskilled labor but also among the educated youth, many of them with professional skills failed to find suitable job. The unemployment rate in Pakistan has surged at a time when major portion of the population belongs to the working age. The country’s technical vocational education and training system lacks meaningful…

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[dropcap]C[/dropcap]orporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. It is also known as corporate conscience, corporate citizenship, sustainable responsible business (SRB), or corporate social performance. It is actually about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, CSR is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large. Ideally, CSR policy…

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A need now to start Islamic venture capital funds and investment banks in the country [dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan is not at the same level with the Muslim world in the growth and development of Islamic finance but yet it has shown an impressive improvement and diversification in Islamic finance over the past three decades. The decision of establishing a Shariah advisory board under the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is a step forward in this regard. Shariah advisory board will guide Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Islamic Capital markets in their prospective transactions. It was decided that the board would…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he concept of Islamic finance firmly and wholly required in Balochistan for the promotion of Islamic banking and insurance industry. This resource-rich province has enormous investment opportunities and despite longtime overlook and uncertainty in the province the present development in the result of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects and while taking advancement in the Islamic banking and finance it will usher good for the growth of the province. What primarily concerns the users of Islamic financial services is the Shariah compliance of the services. Non compliance of Islamic law can result in withdrawal of funds from an Islamic bank. Hence, Shariah…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan’s foreign exchange reserves increased to $21 billion during the week ended May 19 from $20.678 billion a week ago, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). While the reserves held by the central bank rose 317 million to $16.213 billion, the reserves of commercial banks increased to $4.795 billion as compared to $4.782 billion in the preceding week. Realistically speaking, the SBP does not currently hold $16 billion reserves. The borrowing of $3.93 billion in April by Central Bank from commercial banks for up to three months is a step to artificially sustain official foreign exchange reserves at…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here are more than 50 foreign exchange companies operating in Pakistan. The majority of foreign exchange transactions are handled by the banks in Pakistan, while the money changers handle only upto 25 percent of the market share. Though banks enjoy government’s incentives on fetching remittances, yet exchange companies do not enjoy any incentive. It is binding on all the exchange companies to ask for the central bank’s approval for all outward remittance transactions of $50,000 or above. Last year, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) bank issued new regulations for exchange companies, allowing them to export all foreign currencies other…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) involves huge development of trade among the regional and international countries after construction of highways, railways and energy pipelines connecting western China with Pakistan and the Persian Gulf. We are firmly of the view that the CPEC is going to be a game changer for Pakistan’s economy prospect including much for investment-starved Balochistan but ironically the internal and external security threats to Pakistan and long-time fear in Balochistan may likely make hindrance to this project completion. For Pakistan, Central Asia is very important part of the region and for its smooth transaction of…

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Agriculture development in Balochistan: lots of potential yet many issues and constraints [dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan is a water starved province and in agricultural production it is far behind to other provinces. More than 75 percent of its population heavily relies on agricultural goods and services for their livelihood. A marked improvement in agriculture can make the province self-sufficient in food. There is need to bring about a shift from traditional to a technology based farming system in the province. This would require the use of appropriate agricultural inputs in technologically feasible and economically profitable manner. In context of chemical technology, the fertilizers…

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Shopsy emerging as fastest-performing search engine [dropcap]E-[/dropcap]commerce is actually the business done through the Internet in the present era of modernization and technology. The rapidly growing usage of Internet is shifting the world towards the e-commerce. Phenomenal advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has not only brought a revolution in the lifestyles of the people but also in the business and marketing strategies of the people. Today, a company creates, maintains and optimizes business relations with consumers and other businesses using tools and practices involving Internet technologies. This is precisely e-commerce, which is an information technology trend developing fast…

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[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s compared to other provinces, Balochistan has great investment opportunities in all sectors of economy. The province is rich in natural resources and has tremendous potential for development of horticulture, particularly the fruit farms. There is a lot of potential for development in the livestock and dairy sectors, as the province can earn a substantial amount of income by exporting the products in these sectors to the lucrative markets in the food deficit region- Afghanistan and Central Asia. The land along coastal belt has enormous potential for development of shrimp farming and processing projects, which can play a vital role…

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[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ast month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its concerns over Pakistan’s widening fiscal deficit outlook and warned that the challenges on fiscal, external and energy fronts could affect the hard-won stability gains in the period ahead and called for strong efforts with respect to fiscal consolidation and the implementation of key structural reforms, and vigilance in managing the country’s external position. The international lender has predicted that the current account deficit could reach 2.9 percent of GDP during the current fiscal year owing to a higher trade balance — in part reflecting increased imports of energy and capital goods…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan is the most backward province, which is also far behind from other provinces in economic development. The least developed province lacks infrastructure that discourages investment for industrial development. The existing road network in Balochistan is in a dire need of maintenance and repair. A coordinated network of roads does not interlink 32 districts in the province and hence there are missing links between economic centers in Balochistan. The limited road access and lack of road network affect the people of rural areas reducing their access to markets. So if the mega development projects go on and complete in time…

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Energy projects under China’s cooperation will help produce thousands of mega-watts of additional electricity [dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan needs to take steps on war footing to expand its alternative energy resources for meeting future energy security challenges. There is enormous renewable energy potential and that must be truly tapped by the government by taking emergency measures. For development of renewable energy resources such as water, wind and sunlight, there are three main reasons — first, the country is paying higher costs for its dependency on conventional thermal based generation facility. Second, the unstable prices and supply of oil and gas across the globe…

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Ineptitude, snags, inconsistent policies and smuggling causing loss to national exchequer [dropcap]S[/dropcap]trategically located Balochistan is surrounded by oil and gas rich countries like Iran and Afghanistan and Arabian Gulf region states. On one hand, the province is located in midst of oil and gas reserves while on the other the most important international sea routes pass through this province coast. By virtue of its geographical location, the province is considered a strategic part of trans-national pipeline corridors, which are currently in the planning stage. The province has the country’s extensive oil and gas reserves. According to an estimate, out of…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan is facing multiple problems on economic front. Despite tall claims of the present government about putting the economy on growth track, it is undeniable fact that, poverty level would increase in the coming days as dependence on foreign loans would hurt economy, ultimately pushing more and more people below the poverty line. The country’s ballooning external debt and liabilities continue to further burden the economy. The ruling elite are not ready to give up their luxuries and VIP status in a country where up to 40% of its 170 million population live below poverty line- on less than $1…

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[dropcap]O[/dropcap]wing to unstable prices and supply of oil and gas across the globe, Pakistan needs to shift towards its renewable energy resources such as water, wind and sunlight and reduce the dependency on conventional thermal based generation facility. The country faces chronic power shortages due to rapid growth in demand for electricity. Power outages increased significantly due to the widening gap between supply and demand over the past three years. The country is largely dependent on oil imports. The energy statistics of Pakistan shows that around 50 percent of the need is met by the indigenous gas production and 29…

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[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ivestock is an important sector of rural economy in Balochistan. It contributes about 40 percent to the provincial GDP. Animals are traditionally kept for meeting household milk and meat needs. According to one estimate, the province maintains 2.253581 million cattle, 12.804217 million sheep, 11.784,711 million goats, 0.319,854 million buffaloes, 0.379,528 million camels, 0.059,973 million horses, 0.006,256 million mules, 0.471,942 million donkeys and 5.911,304 million poultry. Livestock contributes Rs20 billion with share of meat 40%, milk 35%, eggs 13%, skin, hides & wool 10% and others 2%. The province annually produces 28,000 tons of beef and 204,000 tons of mutton. Ironically,…

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[dropcap]O[/dropcap]man is our fifth neighbor that shares maritime boundaries with Pakistan. The two countries enjoy close and cordial relations. Both the countries are agreed to further enhance cooperation and expand relations in diverse areas, including economic, trade, investments, education and defense. Pakistan and Oman are bound by a common history, shared values, faith, traditions and commonality of interests and formed the basis of a special relationship with Oman. The two countries initiated their diplomatic relations way back in 1972, and have grown from strength to strength. Since its creation, the hardworking and committed Pakistanis contributed towards Oman’s development. Though bilateral…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan has the most vital wheat yield potential and famously known as the country’s food basket. It is therefore important to make sure that all the management of country and province properly evaluate variability in wheat yield and yield components and fully and efficiently tapped the benefit of this crop. Balochistan has wheat varieties yield potential of 6.5MT/hectares, but it is getting only 2.4 MT/hectares. The province gets 95 percent wheat from irrigated and 5 percent from rain-fed areas. Pakistan’s wheat production can be increased by expanding wheat cropping area in Balochistan, which is the country’s largest province with respect…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan is the sixth largest producer of dates and the third largest exporter of the same in the world. According to one estimate, the country annually produces around 600,000 tonnes of dates out of which only 100,000 tonnes are exported and the rest are either consumed locally or go perish. The exports of dates could be raised to $200 million from the current $30 million with proper processing and packaging work, which is sadly still lacking in the country. The country produces 300 varieties of dates and can earn more millions of dollars if proper attention is paid to value…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan’s two-wheeler manufacturers are producing best quality products within the competitive prices. In the last one decade, Pakistani consumers in rural areas continued to buy motor bikes. The share of rural areas is over 60 percent in total bike sales, which depend on good yield in various crops. The consumers in urban areas have been interested in purchasing two wheelers in order to reach the place of work more quickly rather than wasting time in traffic congestion. What is actually needed is the official patronage of local producers in terms of incentives and facilities in order to boost bike exports…

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[dropcap]C[/dropcap]arjacking incidents remained evidence in the country, particularly in the major cities, since many years. Karachi, the country’s commercial capital has been witnessing an increase in cases since long. Although there are some relief at the moment, after Karachi police arrested many gangs involved in car snatching from Balochistan, but one cannot confirm it that the criminals are no more to snatch a car? These car jackers are still active as there are many reports of continued car snatching in Karachi and other parts of the country. In Karachi case, the registration numbers of most of the stolen cars were…

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Significant investments in education and health still lacking [dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan will take years to come at par with developed regions of the country. The policy makers in Quetta should focus on the development of social sector and make significant investments in education and health to produce the required human and social capital for the economic development of the province. Social sector in Balochistan suffered from neglect for years. Investments in education and health sectors mean formation of human capital that can tap the province’s natural endowment. The underdeveloped education and health sectors contributed largely to the prevailing backwardness in the province.…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he timely of completion of $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and mainly development of Gwadar Port under these projects becomes fully operational as hub port will change the fortune of Balochistan — the most backward and the country’s poorest province. On the other hand, if the terrorist activities to sabotage the mega development process gets boost in the next few years in Balochistan, it will be a disaster for the least developed province. The economic outlook of Balochistan looks somewhat bright and somewhat uncertain. In the coming years, much depends on the state of security prevailing in the…

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[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith Gwadar port set to fully functional soon, there are immense prospects for growth of banking industry in Balochistan. Lack of capital, low investment and low productivity has led to the low income of the province, and hence it is caught up in the vicious circle of poverty. The province’s human and material resources remained unutilized or underutilized. The people are technologically backward. Illiteracy is higher and hence the people lack the initiative and entrepreneurial ability. With a fully operational deep water port, the province can benefit both directly and indirectly from the tremendous commercial and trade activities leading to…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan is not at par with the Muslim world in growth and development of Islamic finance, yet it has shown an impressive growth and diversification in Islamic finance over the past three decades. There are 29 Islamic open ended funds 18 voluntary pension funds and 1 closed ended fund in the country. Islamic funds industry has yet to evolve, develop and grow with new market players in Pakistan. Islamic principles encourage entrepreneurship in productive sector, or in other words they enhance productive capacity of the economy. The experts, however, believe that there remains entrepreneurial risk, which can only be eliminated…

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[dropcap]E[/dropcap]conomic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is the only forum with representation of all the countries bordering Afghanistan, but it has been dormant as a regional organization. It has not played an effective role in promoting regional trade in the past. The ECO region is well placed to become a major hub of energy supply. There is a need to make efforts to establish inter-regional oil and gas pipelines as well as power grids from energy-rich to energy-deficient states. Free trade is central to regional economic integration as it can unlock latent energies and transform socio-economic landscapes. The ECO can only become…

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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n November 2016, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a grand opening ceremony at the Gwadar port marked the operationalization and opening of trade activities at the port. The first consignment of cargoes from China to depart from the Pakistani port arrived at Gwadar on the occasion. The Chinese convoy carrying almost 150 containers were then shifted onto Pakistani trucks at the Sost border crossing south of Khunjerab (China) in the Northern Areas. A tremendous construction activity is being generated by multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects planned under the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan. Around Rs35 billion has been…

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[dropcap]U[/dropcap]nderdeveloped but resource-rich Balochistan has a large number of metallic and non-metallic minerals as mineral deposits include copper, barite, fluorite, gypsum/anhydrite, limestone/dolomite, magnesite, chromite, coal, iron, marble and sulphur. The province directly and indirectly plays a vital role in providing building material for construction activity all over the country. Cement and steel are the essential ingredients of construction activity. Presently, the total installed capacity of 28 cement plants is 17.312 million tons in Pakistan. The country produces four types of cements and the raw material — gypsum, limestone, clay/shale- used for cement manufacturing is found in abundance in the country.…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Balochistan Health Department has developed its Health Sector Strategy (2013-2018) to address challenges of service delivery, quality of care, lack of skilled health workforce, governance and regulation, and to ensure adequate health coverage for the poor and vulnerable populations in the province. The key emphasis of the strategy is on integrating health services through a strong monitoring and evaluation system. The Department is basically responsible for delivery of key health services to the people through hospitals which are working under to components — Basic Health Units (BHU) and Rural Health Centers (RHC). The Department operates more than 550 BHUs,…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan is largely dependent on oil imports. The energy statistics of Pakistan shows that around 50 percent of the need is met by the indigenous gas production and 29 percent by domestic and imported oil and 11 percent by hydro-electricity. The country’s annual energy requirements are expected to more than double to 177 million tons of oil equivalent by the year 2020. Pakistan has an installed refining capacity of 12.82 million tons a year from its five refineries — National Refinery Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited, Attock Refinery Limited, Pakistan-Arab Refinery Limited and Indus Refinery Limited. Pakistan-Arab Refinery Company (PARCO), a…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he capital market provides the people with the investment opportunities and the companies to raise funds for expansion and development for further investments. Though the government has an important role to play in shaping the legal, institutional and business environment but major responsibility rests with the corporate sector to achieve a higher level of corporate governance. The high standards of corporate integrity and excellence are of key importance for the development of any capital market. Under the Stock Exchanges Demutualization and Integration Act 2012, the integration of three exchanges has already been carried out and the merger of the three…

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[dropcap]P[/dropcap]akistan cannot catch up with its Asian neighbors like India and China in terms of economic improvement without making investment in new banking technology. In the Asian economies, the investors and businesses are looking for more supportive financial services, with a demand for financing solutions, hedge funds, and asset-based securities. The banking channels play an important role in enhancing the trade of a country with its major trading partners. Pakistan needs to establish and strengthen its banking channels with friendly countries including China, Iran, Turkey and Malaysia with an aim to increase the bilateral volume of trades. STRONG CHINA’S SUPPORT…

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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]slamabad has realized the need to shift towards its renewable sources such as water, wind and sunlight and reduce the dependency on conventional thermal based generation facility owing to unstable prices and supply of oil and gas across the globe. The country faces chronic power shortages due to rapid growth in demand for electricity. Power outages increased significantly due to the widening gap between supply and demand over the past three years. It has adversely affected the industrial output and economic growth of the country. The energy statistics of Pakistan shows that around 50 percent of the need is met…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan is rich in renewable energy resources and can help lead the country to a clean affordable and safe energy future if these huge assets of a province rightly exploited for the sustainable development of the country’s economy. The government should make efforts to exploit huge volume of renewable energy sources of the province through renewable energy technologies like wind power turbines, biogas plants, microhydel power plants and solar thermal devices. The government already planned to undertake the following projects for development of the renewable energy resources including installation of windmill and solar energy systems in coastal areas and a…

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[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rowing presence of local and foreign brands in the Pakistani market has somewhat flourished a culture of brands in the country. The people are now becoming conscious about branded clothes, branded shoes, branded watch and even branded eatables and other objects. Balochistan is known for unique and intricate production of handicrafts. These handicrafts from Balochistan are known all over the world for the beauty of their designs and for the richness of the color, and its economical prices. Handicrafts skills and needle work of Balochistan are very attractive. Balochistan work include embroidered clothes, caps, purses and belts; marble table etc,…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he trend of foreign retail outlets is expanding into other products, services and brands in the country. Last year, Clarks, the international shoe manufacturer and retailer launched its first-ever store in Karachi. The store was inaugurated by the acting Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission, Gillian Atkinson. The stores are also being opened up in Lahore and Islamabad. Clarks brand has a unique heritage of almost 200 years in remarkable shoe design. It has been successful in becoming the leading shoe company in the UK and a global business in over 100 markets worldwide. With their latest franchise…

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[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hile signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) of 40 percent strategic equity stake of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) with a Chinese consortium, recently, the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar called the deal a dream come true. Last month, a Chinese-led consortium consisting of China Financial Futures Exchange, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange and two local firms, took a 40 percent stake in the business. A delegation from the Chinese-led consortium formally signed documents for the takeover of PSX with Pakistani authorities. The consortium had won by placing the highest bid of Rs28 per share for 320 million shares…

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[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ndowed with rich mineral resources, Balochistan has great scope for setting up small and medium enterprises in mineral sector. The government needs to work out a comprehensive plan and strategy to set up such mineral-based units in the province. The province is endowed with huge reserves of chromite. First discovery was made in 1901 at Muslim Bagh and Khanozai in district Kila Saifullah. Other occurrences of chromite include those of the Ras Koh Range in western Balochistan and Wad deposits of Khuzdar district. Zhob deposits were first discovered by Vredenburg in 1901 during the course of regional reconnaissance mapping of…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]ruly speaking, schools and hospitals have now turned somewhat into firms and companies, which all the time remain engaged in improving their financial profile. What is actually missing is the ‘welfare’ from these welfare institutions. The growing commercialized trends in health and education sectors have enhanced profitability at the expense of welfare of the people in general in Pakistan. HEALTH The business of establishing private hospitals has become highly profitable where the patients are treated as customers like in high profile hotels. There are many doctors who have opened their private hospitals where the patients are treated as scapegoats in…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan has a literacy rate of 39 percent, which is much lower than the national rate. The education sector has suffered from years of neglect and under-funding. Balochistan is the country’s poorest province with standards of living and social indicators lagging substantially behind the rest of the country. With low participation in general education and low completion rates at primary and secondary levels, the unemployment and underemployment rates in the province are higher than the national rates. Education would be instrumental in combating backwardness in the province. Credible surveys place the province in the lowest rank of literacy rate among…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he health indicators in Balochistan are poorer than any other province of Pakistan. Though health sector in Balochistan remained the focus of welfare programs launched by every government in the past, but the leakage, misuse of public funds and irregularities in this sector caused no relief to the people of this most backward province. Malaria, typhoid, hepatitis, gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders are common in the province. In rural Balochistan, the health status is relatively poor. According to an estimate, a total of 1,432 health units spread over the province. There is only one doctor available for 7,300 persons, in average.…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he present government has decided to keep the prices of petroleum products unchanged for the month of January. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had earlier recommended an increase of Rs0.30 per litre in the price of petrol and an increase of Rs3.94 in the price of high speed diesel. The government will be subsidizing petroleum products by Rs4 billion in order to maintain prices at current levels, according to the Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar. Hence, the prices of WTI Crude Oil & Brent Crude Oil have increased in the international market. The petroleum products prices are revised on…

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he experts consider renewable energy sources like water, wind, sunlight etc. as clean, eco-friendly and sustainable all over the world. On the other hand, thermal energy resources are expensive and environmentally unsafe. According to an estimate only 0.1 per cent of renewable sources are being utilized. Pakistan has huge resources and has best condition to have good use of renewable benefits and for which Balochistan is rich in renewable energy (RE) resources. The possessions of this province must be exploited for sustainable development of the province and for the country. The government should make efforts to exploit huge volume of…

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[dropcap]F[/dropcap]inancial experts have identified the key issues hitting the growth of consumer financing in Pakistan. These issues include the high interest rate, high inflationary impact, unsolicited financing, deteriorating quality of services, lack of consumer education, poor information disclosure practices, intimidating recovery practices, loosing competitiveness in international trade, and weaknesses in regulatory framework. Consumer financing has emerged out as one of most prolific aspects of banking in Pakistan. Consumer financing products include credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and housing mortgage. It not only contributes towards facilitating the life patterns of consumers, but it also proves to be a source of…

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[dropcap]B[/dropcap]alochistan has enormous potential to emerge as Pakistan’s new economic frontier. Its livestock contributes 20 percent to provincial GDP. It is the primary source of living for about 80 percent of the population. The provincial share in the country’s total livestock population is stated to be about 40 per cent. Leather, carpet and pharmaceutical industry are the main consumers of livestock products. The province caters to the needs and demands of leather and carpet industries in Pakistan by sustaining the supply of hide and skins and wool to these sectors. Agriculture is the mainstay of provincial economy, as over 75…

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