As Pakistan turns 75, Shehbaz Sharif cites flaws in economic model

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Nakul Shivani • 1 Years ago
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

 

Islamabad

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cited three critical structural flaws in the country and said that "no successful country has ever grown this way".

"Pakistan today is one of the most consumption-oriented economies in the world, with consumption accounting for more than 90 per cent of our GDP (gross domestic product). By contrast, we only invest 15 per cent of our output and export just 10 per cent. Annual inflows of foreign direct investment are less than 1 per cent of the GDP," he wrote in a blog.

"These sorry statistics are a reflection of the flaws in our economic model. No successful country has ever grown this way."

The Prime Minister further wrote: "This one (latest economic crisis) is born out of the most challenging global policy environment of our lifetime, characterised by a commodity supercycle, historic monetary tightening at America's Federal Reserve and a conflict in Europe that is tearing apart the post-war global order.

"But it also stems from home-grown weaknesses: weaknesses that have been left unaddressed for the better part of five decades; weaknesses that have forced us to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) multiple times during that time. This is not how successful nations are built."

Shehbaz then cited three critical structural flaws that stand out in the country.

"These have prevented economic take-off, stunted our growth and led to repeated boom-bust cycles since the late 1980s," he said.

"We have turned inwards in a way that has prevented us from reaping the benefits of globalisation through the free exchange of people, goods, capital and ideas. Our ability to make and keep friends on the international stage has significantly weakened over time."

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The premier lamented that Pakistan hardly makes anything according to the demands of the world as the local companies remain very comfortable operating within the borders.