By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has warned that protests, sit-ins and strikes could inflict losses of approximately Rs120 billion per day on Pakistan’s economy and undermine the country’s transition from stabilisation to sustainable growth.
Speaking to the media, the finance minister said Pakistan’s economy was showing encouraging signs of improvement, including stronger foreign-exchange reserves, a current-account surplus and continued growth in workers’ remittances.
He maintained that the country had successfully moved towards economic stability and was now entering a crucial phase of growth.
However, he cautioned that political unrest and prolonged disruption of business and transport activities could reverse the gains achieved through recent economic measures.
Aurangzeb also highlighted serious challenges arising from developments in the Middle East.
He said geopolitical tensions were disrupting international supply chains and increasing freight and insurance costs, placing additional pressure on global trade and import-dependent economies.
The minister stressed that marches, shutdowns and sit-ins could interrupt industrial production, commercial activity, exports and the movement of goods across the country. Such disruptions, he added, could weaken investor confidence and slow economic progress.
He urged all stakeholders to recognise the potential financial consequences of political agitation and avoid activities that could damage the national economy during its recovery phase.
