$15 billion investment package likely from UAE including mega oil refinery in Pakistan

[Indus Pakistan]

People often confuse that trade deficit is because of Pakistan buying things that are not needed however the reality is exact opposite,

The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Pakistan’s import purchases during 2017. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Pakistan.

1. Mineral fuels including oil: US$13.7 billion (23.9% of total imports)
2. Machinery including computers: $6.9 billion (11.9%)
3. Electrical machinery, equipment: $4.7 billion (8.3%)
4. Iron, steel: $3.4 billion (6%)
5. Vehicles: $2.7 billion (4.6%)
6. Organic chemicals: $2.4 billion (4.1%)
7. Animal/vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $2.4 billion (4.1%)
8. Plastics, plastic articles: $2.3 billion (4%)
9. Oil seeds: $1.4 billion (2.4%)
10. Vegetables: $981.2 million (1.7%)

Pakistan's major import is Oil, other than that is the machinery that is being imported to set up industrial units in CPEC related projects and special economic zones. So we cant reduce any further imports, its the exports that are far less than our potential.

I agree but as you can see the one item on the import list that is bleeding Pakistan to death is oil imports. With subsidy in place for three years [which will now cover nearly 70% of oil imports] we now have historic opportunity to increase our exports over three years and lay the foundations of a economy that can sustain itself. The three years also is enough time for tax problems to be reformed.

Indeed we have three year clock ticking. All I can say is Asad Umar has hope of 200 million Pakistani's on his shoulders and he must deliver in these three years.

Come your soldiers or Iran, where are you beating yourself up now looking at these horrific news ?

My views on Iran remain same. Iran can't help itself leave helping others. Pakistan must help KSA and Iran to bridge their differances unless you think creating trouble in our region is good? It only helps USA and Israel to profit. Don't forget that.

Anyway before this thread inevitably devolves into confrontation and negatives I really think Pakistani's can sigh with relief today. Yep there is lot of hard work ahead but today country can relax and line up behind the government to build 'Naya Pakistan'.

Congrats to all ...

 

[Mugen]

WHERE ARE THE AYATUUUUUUUUUUUUUULAHs now ?


Come you soldiers or Iran, where are you beating yourself up now looking at these horrific news ?

I thank those who have helped Pakistan in this trying times...But we still need good relation with Iran no matter what.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Just as a note post election euphoria there were times I thought that PK IK's team did not quite have it. How wrong I was. These figures [at nearly $14 billion and counting] are astronomical in the Pakistan context. Just think. The oil subisidy is alone worth $7 billion every year for three years [$21 billion] and the Qatar gas subsidy is in the pipelne yet.

What does this tell us? I mean KSA, UAE, Qatar were there six months ago. This tells us that these countries bought the pitch sold by PM IK's team. This establishes the confidence that PM IK's government garnered from others. We also hear British Airways is resuming flights. All this helps in changing the perception of Pakistan. If this can be translated [no reason wy not] by PM IK's team in attracting investments from abroad Pakistan economy will begin to splutter into action.

It all boils down to havin a Prime Minister and his team being able to go abroad and be able to articulate and impress a good image of Pakistan. Do you guys really think Zardari, Nawaz could do that? Or carry the trust of investors?

 

[dBSPL]

Pakistan people deserves best. Therefore, I would like to thank Qatar, UAE and KSA for their financial packages.

WHERE ARE THE AYATUUUUUUUUUUUUUULAHs now ?


Come you soldiers or Iran, where are you beating yourself up now looking at these horrific news ?

geopolitics > capital

Pakistan has been a great help to Arab states, especially KSA. Pakistani air force officers are protecting KSA, not Iran. Pakistan's approach to friends is the main reason of this supports today.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

One avenue that offers lots of potential is the housing sector in Pakistan. It can play double role. Of stimulating the economy/jobs and providing the millions of houses needed in Pakistan. I was glad that PM IK discussed this with the Turks who have a dynamic construction industry that over the last 15 yeas has changed the face of Turkish cities. Pakistani housing industry is ancient and uses antiquated methods of construction.

If the PTI government can bring together Turkish construction prowess, Pakistani real estate sector, legal framework, planning in convergence then we could see the delivery of the 5 million housing project. Which would create a boom in the construction sector and provide millions of jobs.

And housing for the poor. Win, win for all.

I saw this speech by IM years ago. And I thought what a pity. This guy should be articulating for Pakistan. And it came true.

 

[Meengla]

Indeed a great news. But I don't think Pakistan can afford to alienate Iran and must not become part of any anti-Iran strategy. Having said that, I think unlike Turks, Arabs, and Pakistanis, Iranians are not so generous as a people--but that's my personal opinion and off-topic.

I watched a recent episode of 'Think Tank' yesterday (linked below). At one point, Khawar Ghumman says that Imran Khan, in a Cabinet meeting, was furious about a recent power supply breakdown in Pakistan due to fog, costing billions of Rupees of revenue! Khawar quoted Imran: "I go around the world trying to get money to the country and here you guys can't even handle power transmission!".

This govt is hell-bent on putting things on the right course. The country is being run like a corporation.

 

[dBSPL]

Making the housing sector a leading investment area has a negative impact on manufacturing sectors. More precisely, you need to act on a very careful balance.

Pakistan's workforce and raw material potential is very high. This potential will emerge more with education and health-care reforms.

Pakistan's increasingly deepening economic ties with China and also going to be a safe trade corridor for China. I think Pakistan needs to focus primarily on the production of intermediate goods. The effect of this growth is seen in the long term but is permanent. In world markets, the biggest import item is intermediate goods, not energy.

While world's production center of gravity shifts to Asia: Why has Pakistan not been able to provide the transformation like Far Asian markets? The answers to this question will explain what needs to be changed in Pakistani social life.

 

[maximuswarrior]

This is huge.

One more milestone for PTI. Frantic diplomacy paying dividends.

Indeed a great news. But I don't think Pakistan can afford to alienate Iran and must not become part of any anti-Iran strategy. Having said that, I think unlike Turks, Arabs, and Pakistanis, Iranians are not so generous as a people--but that's my personal opinion and off-topic.

I watched a recent episode of 'Think Tank' yesterday (linked below). At one point, Khawar Ghumman says that Imran Khan, in a Cabinet meeting, was furious about a recent power supply breakdown in Pakistan due to fog, costing billions of Rupees of revenue! Khawar quoted Imran: "I go around the world trying to get money to the country and here you guys can't even handle power transmission!".

This govt is hell-bent on putting things on the right course. The country is being run like a corporation.

IK needs to get really tough. What I like about Trump is that he replaces underperforming schmucks without a second thought. There is no time to waste. IK needs to make immediate changes and as many as required if people don't perform. This is a performance based era. You deliver or you make room for others to deliver.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

This is huge.

One more milestone for PTI. Frantic diplomacy paying dividends.



IK needs to get really tough. What I like about Trump is that he replaces underperforming schmucks without a second thought. There is no time to waste. IK needs to make immediate changes and as many as required if people don't perform. This is a performance based era. You deliver or you make room for others to deliver.

10/10

 

[WarKa DaNG]

Its now or never

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Its now or never

Very true. It is a critical juncture in Pakistan's history. Indeed if this opportunity is missed it might even lead to the demise of the Pakistani federation. Think Soviet Union and economic oblivion.

 

[WarKa DaNG]

Hoping that atleast he will do some good

Very true. It is a critical juncture in Pakistan's history. Indeed if this opportunity is missed it might even lead to the demise of the Pakistani federation. Think Soviet Union and economic oblivion.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Hoping that atleast he will do some good

My point about 'demise of the federation' might sound alarmist but one of the most potent factors in human behavious is justice and economic condition is a major component of that. If the pie is large all federating units [particularly neglected regions like FATA and Balochistan] get uplifted. If the pie shrinks then there is not enoug resources and on the fringe or neglected regions tempers begin to fray and that offers fertile ground for outside actors to cause trouble.

Ever thought why "outside hands" can't cause trouble in developed countries or even in oil rich states? Everbody is well fed. Why piss in the pot that is feeding you well?

Making the housing sector a leading investment area has a negative impact on manufacturing sectors. More precisely, you need to act on a very careful balance.

I agree in some circumstances. But in Pakistan we have huge housing shortage which besides anything is a social issue impacting on lives of the poor. This demographic looks to PTI do do something tangible for them. Furthermore we have millions of unemployed or under-employed many of whom lack education and are not going to get jobs in hi-tec industries. Housing sector is good way to scoop lots of these semi-literate manual workers. They might just need some on the job skill training and they are good to go. In absence of that they will be unemployed and cause of trouble - mullah cannon fodder/terrorism.

I remember back in early 1990s seeing a report about Turkish workers fixing the Russian Duma building after the Boris/army shootout. A Turkish company had won the contract. This is sort thing we need to nurture in Pakistan. A experianced, competitive construction sector that wins even contracts aboard. Instead of our workers running across borders as illegal migrants or being cannon fodder for some Islamist cause somewhere.

 

[Kompromat]

Breather!

 

[nahtanbob]

It is. I stress here. The problem has not been fixed. But a historic opportunity has been given by the fiscal space afforded by the grants to fix the economy ~ which will take years. The government now can get down to the real work to fix the underlying problems in the economy -

• a weak export industry
• a anemic tax collection system
• a uncompetitive business environment
• etc

If Asad Umar succeeds in the coming years then his name will go down in Pakistan's economic history and PTI will be reassured of a another term. If he fails it is bad news for Pakistan. This is last chance saloon.

sorry it is not enough time to fix human resource aspects of the pakistani economy
i hate to be a skunk at the party