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Exceptionally high’ economic risks exist in Pakistan, according to an IMF report

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2 years ago

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Pakistan, like many countries, faces a range of economic challenges that impact its growth, stability, and development. A recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has drawn attention to the existence of “exceptionally high” economic risks in Pakistan. This blog aims to examine the key findings of the IMF report, explore the underlying factors contributing to these risks, and discuss the potential implications for Pakistan’s economy.

Pakistan: IMF Bailout Should Advance Economic Rights

Pakistan’s recent agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package presents an opportunity to advance economic rights and improve the well-being of its citizens. As the country faces significant economic challenges, including a high fiscal deficit and external imbalances, the IMF’s financial assistance can provide much-needed stability and support for Pakistan’s economy. However, it is crucial that the bailout conditions are designed with a focus on protecting and promoting the economic rights of the most vulnerable populations. This includes ensuring access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and social protection programs, while also addressing income inequality and promoting inclusive economic growth. By prioritizing economic rights in the implementation of the IMF bailout, Pakistan can create a more equitable and sustainable economic system that benefits all its citizens.

The IMF Report: Identifying Exceptionally High Risks

The IMF report highlights several critical factors that contribute to the exceptionally high economic risks faced by Pakistan. These include fiscal imbalances, a fragile external position, elevated public debt, and structural issues. The report emphasizes the need for decisive policy actions to address these challenges and enhance economic resilience.

Fiscal Imbalances: Pakistan’s fiscal deficit, driven by a mismatch between government revenues and expenditures, poses a significant risk to the economy. The report underscores the importance of fiscal consolidation measures to bring spending in line with revenues and reduce reliance on borrowing.

Fragile External Position: Pakistan’s external accounts face vulnerabilities, including a high current account deficit, limited foreign exchange reserves, and external debt repayments. The IMF report stresses the need to improve the country’s export competitiveness, attract foreign direct investment, and enhance foreign exchange inflows.

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Elevated Public Debt: Pakistan’s public debt burden has been rising, raising concerns about debt sustainability and servicing capacity. The report highlights the importance of debt management strategies, fiscal discipline, and revenue mobilization to address this issue effectively.

Structural Challenges: The IMF report also identifies structural issues that hamper Pakistan’s economic growth potential, including weak governance, inefficiencies in the energy sector, and low productivity. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive reforms to improve governance, enhance the business environment, and boost productivity across sectors.

Implications and the Way Forward

The IMF report’s findings indicate that addressing the exceptionally high economic risks in Pakistan requires concerted efforts from the government, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders. Failure to take prompt and effective measures could result in increased vulnerability, hinder economic growth, and impede progress towards social development goals.

To navigate these challenges, Pakistan must prioritize the following actions:

Fiscal Discipline and Reforms: Implementing sound fiscal policies, including revenue enhancement, expenditure rationalization, and effective public financial management, is crucial for long-term fiscal sustainability.

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Strengthening External Resilience: Encouraging exports diversification, attracting foreign investment, and improving the balance of payments position are essential for reducing external vulnerabilities and enhancing economic stability.

Debt Management: Instituting prudent debt management practices, including prioritizing concessional borrowing, monitoring debt levels, and ensuring debt repayment capacity, is critical to mitigate the risks associated with the country’s debt burden.

Structural Reforms: Undertaking comprehensive structural reforms to improve governance, enhance the business environment, promote competition, and increase productivity across sectors will support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The IMF report highlighting “exceptionally high” economic risks in Pakistan serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and stakeholders to take swift and decisive actions. Addressing fiscal imbalances, strengthening the external position, managing public debt, and implementing structural reforms are vital steps towards achieving sustainable economic growth, stability, and resilience.

By embracing prudent economic policies, fostering an enabling business environment, and prioritizing governance reforms, Pakistan can navigate these challenges and unlock its full economic potential. It is through concerted efforts and collaboration that the country can pave the way for a prosperous future, ensuring improved living standards and opportunities for its citizens.

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Sports

Lionel Messi’s final jab at Cristiano in a million-dollar text message for Lyon’s Argentina player: “Don’t listen to Ronaldo”

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6 days ago

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January 16, 2025

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French club Lyon stoked the flames of the Ronaldo-Messi rivalry in their announcement video for Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada.

With the January football transfer window currently open and clubs across Europe looking to add talent to their rosters for the run-in in the second half of the season, French team Olympique Lyonnais have made the exciting signing of Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada. Almada joins on an initial loan from Brazilian club Botafogo, but his announcement was made in style in the latest in a long line of iconic transfer videos.

The 23-year-old midfielder’s signing was announced through a video shared by Lyon in which he receives a text message from ‘Lionel’ along with a goat emoji, clearly meant to be the legendary Lionel Messi, Almada’s compatriot and teammate in the Argentine national team. The text sent to Almada in this video reads “Don’t listen to Cristiano, Ligue 1 is incredible.”

Lyon’s retribution for Ronaldo’s comments
The text provides a sneaky tongue-in-cheek remark from the seven-time French champions, who are referencing Cristiano Ronaldo’s past comment regarding Ligue 1 being a weaker competition than the Saudi Pro League, where he currently plies his trade for Al Nassr. Ronaldo had claimed there was a better standard of football in Saudi Arabia, with the French league considered the weakest of the ‘top five’ leagues in Europe.

Messi, meanwhile, spent two years playing in France, having spent a period in the capital with Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona. Messi was the latest star at PSG, playing alongside Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe, before the trio was broken up as they left France with Messi heading to Inter Miami, Neymar to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, and Mbappe finally getting his marquee move to Real Madrid.

Almada was part of the Argentina squad that lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, helping Messi finally get his hands on the coveted trophy and firmly setting his status as the greatest of all time in stone. Almada has represented Argentina six times, scoring twice, and finally earned a move to Europe after playing for Atlanta United in the MLS and a brief spell in the Brazilian Serie A at Botafogo. Almada will be joining fellow Argentine Nicolas Tagliafico, who also made a cameo appearance in the announcement video.

Lyon currently sit in sixth place in the Ligue 1 table with half the season concluded, but will have intentions of fighting for spots in next year’s UEFA Champions League with a strong end to the season, in which Almada could play an important role.

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India

India applauds Israel and Hamas’ ceasefire agreement.

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6 days ago

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January 16, 2025

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The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s brazen terror attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed almost 1,200 people

India on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas and reiterated its call for a return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy.

Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have agreed on a 42-day truce and hostage release, and the deal will come into effect on January 19, US President Joe Biden and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said on Wednesday. The truce comes after more than 460 days of war that has devastated Gaza.

“We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza,” the external affairs ministry said in a brief statement.

“We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said.

The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s brazen terror attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed almost 1,200 people. More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory attacks and bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Qatar’s prime minister told reporters that Israel and Hamas were still to conclude some logistical matters related to the ceasefire, while the office of the Israeli prime minister said in a statement that a number of details of the agreement remained unresolved. The deal also needs to be formally ratified by the Israeli cabinet and the government.

The initial phase of the ceasefire, set to last six weeks, will see a limited prisoner exchange, partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a surge of aid into the region. Thirty-three Israeli nationals taken hostage during the October 7 attacks will be released in exchange for a large number of Palestinian prisoners, according to reports.

Around 100 Israeli hostages are thought to be still in Gaza, though Israeli authorities believe some if them are dead.

India initially expressed solidarity with Israel after the attacks by Hamas, in line with its “zero tolerance” policy on terrorism, but it adopted a more nuanced position subsequently because of concerns expressed by Arab partners.

India has strong strategic ties with Israel while Arab states are key sources of energy and have developed stronger defence and security ties with India in the past decade. India also had significant concerns about the potential expansion of the conflict because West Asia is home to nine million Indians, with almost six million of them concentrated in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

As the war dragged on, India repeatedly urged Israel to be mindful of humanitarian concerns in its response. The Indian side also called for the unimpeded provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy aimed at finding a two-state solution.

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World

Pricey’ private security business hired by Secret Service for high-profile events during Trump’s Inauguration

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6 days ago

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January 16, 2025

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Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President on January 20th, with heightened security measures following assassination attempts.

Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20th. Preparations for the momentous day are already underway, with a particular focus on security, especially following two assassination attempts on the incoming president during his political campaign.

Trump’s inauguration ceremony will be reportedly secured by a private security company, with significant costs borne by the government to ensure the safety of the incoming president.

Trump inauguration event hires private security firm
TMZ has obtained federal procurement documents revealing that the Secret Service has hired Arcus Group LLC, a private security company, to help with the upcoming inauguration. The event which will kick off with a service at St. John’s Church, a historic Washington DC church, followed by tea at the White House is set to welcome several high-profile figures including former US Presidents and First Ladies.

This company as per the data has secured an $8.1 million contract for the task, primarily focused on securing the event’s perimeter.

Who is Arcus Group?
Arcus Group specialises in providing temporary security perimeters for high-profile events, which is why they’ve been selected for Trump’s inauguration. Their services include setting up security barriers, anti-scale fencing, barricades, and even mobile command posts.

According to their website, their “security services include a complete threat assessment to ensure attendee safety.” For all event sizes, they prioritise “crowd control and provide 8’ – 12’ anti-scale fences or bike rack barriers. Our team can assist you in selecting the most appropriate security setup.”

The costs of private security have risen, with the Secret Service spending $7.5 million for Joe Biden’s inauguration. Meanwhile, apart from Trump and his wife Melania, other prominent figures like incoming Vice President JD Vance, former President George W. Bush, Bill and Barack Obama alongside Joe and Jill Biden, former First Lady Hillary Clinton are expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.

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