Trade deficit widens to $19b

[PakFactor]

I was certain May 2025 was a turning point. This is strange.

Why is it strange? I see nothing strange. The ground reality was there for all to see, it wasn't hidden.

 

[PakFactor]

Duh, yes Mr Obvious.

This is the way. Only buy what we can afford and not import everything left, right and centre on loans like it has been repeatedly done in the past leading to balance of payment crises each time.

Seems what I said went over your head, and you're treating it as if managing a household budget. Import controls can create a temporary surplus, but only by shrinking the economy. You can’t shrink your way into growth. Real sustainable surplus comes from productivity, investment, and exports — not from throttling demand and freezing industrial capacity.

My point wasn't that Pakistan should "buy everything on loans," but that relying on import suppression alone isn't a development model.

 

[Pakistani Dragon]

... My point wasn't that Pakistan should "buy everything on loans," but that relying on import suppression alone isn't a development model.

Fair point brother, but I don't believe that to be the case.

 

[Mav3rick]

Even without public mandate (according to Bughz-e-Imranis) he actually managed to increase country's exports. It didn't happen by accident. The public at that time hated him as well as military establishment because he had "failed" to deliver. I guess, all those people are very happy now by the looks of how "great" things went since his ouster:
View attachment 170525

If you are honest to yourself and all others here, you would be well advised to do full research on why the exports grew in 2022, especially and specifically for the textile industry under COVID rebound and global supply chain and shipping, global diversification etc. It's not like Imran Khan started knitting and weaving because of which the demand suddenly hit the roof and disappeared as soon as IK was removed!

On top of all of that going absolute in our favour, the conditions of IMF were not throttling the economy or cramping down on the Governmnet because of which Concessional energy tariffs, Subsidies, easier access to export financing and duty drawback schemes were working overtime to the benefit of the Textile industry. However, all these had to be withdrawn under IMF pressure by the PML Government and hence the lower overall exports. Moreover, the demand which had been created post-Covid lockdows had also subsided by 2023/24.

 

[Mav3rick]

So basically, the economic hardship your household faced was never really caused by the removal of any sitting PM since PM Imran Khan was also removed unceremoniously. But that didn't stop you from blaming IK / PTI for everything alongside your current blind faith & trust in another PM from PMLN...

I blame him more because it all started with him. His removal was simply the first step in subsequent course correction.

 

[Mav3rick]

I was certain May 2025 was a turning point. This is strange.

If you can understand what a cult it, you can understand what is going on.

 

[Samlee]

If you are honest to yourself and all others here, you would be well advised to do full research on why the exports grew in 2022, especially and specifically for the textile industry under COVID rebound and global supply chain and shipping, global diversification etc. It's not like Imran Khan started knitting and weaving because of which the demand suddenly hit the roof and disappeared as soon as IK was removed!

On top of all of that going absolute in our favour, the conditions of IMF were not throttling the economy or cramping down on the Governmnet because of which Concessional energy tariffs, Subsidies, easier access to export financing and duty drawback schemes were working overtime to the benefit of the Textile industry. However, all these had to be withdrawn under IMF pressure by the PML Government and hence the lower overall exports. Moreover, the demand which had been created post-Covid lockdows had also subsided by 2023/24.

Gentleman, The IMF Program In 2013 Was A Very Soft One On Pakistan. It Was Practically Free Money With Pakistan Receiving 12 Waivers At That Time.

Eighth review completed: IMF grants Pakistan two waivers on budget deficit | The Express Tribune

This marks the first time in the last three reviews that Pakistan had to request a waiver

tribune.com.pk

IMF releases $505m to Pakistan amid waiver concerns | The Express Tribune

Board doubts rationale to waive conditions to keep programme running

tribune.com.pk

Ishaq Dar Wasted This Opportunity To Stabilize Pakistan's Economy. Reached a historic high of $18.9 billion to $19.9 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2018 (FY18). Forex Reserves Were Rapidly Diminishing($8.5 Billion in 2018) and Major Debt Servicing Was Due.S

So, when Imran Khan Took Office In 2018, Pakistan Was In A Precarious Situation And Had To Go For an IMF EFF Program That Was Heavily Front-Loaded. That was why, in its initial days, PTI Had To Raise Gas and Electricity Prices.

The Difference Was That Instead Of New Motorways and Metros PTI Chose To Spend Money On Things That Had A More Direct Impact On The Common People, Like Health cards, Ehsaas Ration Riayaat And Most Importantly, Subsidies(e.g RCET) To the Textile Industry, Which Resulted In A Huge Revival And Creation Of Many Job Opportunities

 

[Forsvaret]

I blame him more because it all started with him. His removal was simply the first step in subsequent course correction.

Not sure what "course correction" you’re talking about here? Both PPP and PMLN have been in power on & off since at least 1988. If they could really "course correct" anything, they would’ve done it already in the 90s like India’s lasting economic reforms…

 

[Forsvaret]

If you can understand what a cult it, you can understand what is going on.

I fully understand what a cult of military establishment is what it has done with the country since at least 1958!

 

[ziaulislam]

Whether you take goods only or combined goods and services,Fact is For all their flaws PTI did a much better job than you illiterate patwaris did both from 2013-2018 and 2022-Now.Exports increased when those shaikh chilli's were in charge and decreased when tajurbakars like you were in charge

Why would you add services or remittances to exports or add state bank reserves to reseves

 

[Mav3rick]

Not sure what "course correction" you’re talking about here? Both PPP and PMLN have been in power on & off since at least 1988. If they could really "course correct" anything, they would’ve done it already in the 90s like India’s lasting economic reforms…

Hoping and waiting for our Manmohan Singh (and his team).

 

[RescueRanger]

View attachment 169665

Lol

 

[Goenitz]