SUMMARY of the Article “Economic Plan,” Dawn, January 2nd, 2025

The editorial delves into the five-year economic plan “Uraan Pakistan,” unveiled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed at transforming Pakistan into a trillion-dollar economy by 2035. The initiative is rooted in the PML-N’s ‘5Es Plan,’ emphasizing exports, information technology, environment and climate, energy and infrastructure, and justice for all. It proposes a “National Economic Transformation Plan” to address pressing economic challenges through stabilisation and growth. The plan aspires to achieve a 6% growth rate by 2028, attract $10 billion in annual private investment, and double exports to $60 billion in five years. Despite its ambitious vision, the editorial critiques the absence of concrete policy reforms and implementation strategies. A delivery unit has been set up in the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure transparency and accountability, but the government’s nine-month track record on structural reforms raises skepticism. Moreover, contradictions in policy, such as slowing internet speeds while aiming to boost IT exports, undermine the plan’s objectives. Political instability, policy inconsistency, and lack of reformative measures further exacerbate economic challenges. The article emphasizes that monitoring and » Read More…