Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)

PIDE 2025: Year in Review Ideas. Evidence. Impact @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @AwaisSumraPak, @PlanComPakistan #PIDE #Economy #Economics

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 Gulf instability is not just geopolitics; it is a direct economic risk for Pakistan. With nearly 6 million workers abroad, 700–800 thousand leaving each year, and 54 percent of remittances coming from the Middle East, any disruption could mean job losses and declining inflows. In this Policy Viewpoint, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗷𝗮𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗾 (@ShujaatSohal), Professor of Economics and Dean Research at @PIDEpk, highlights the urgent need for Pakistan to diversify exports, create domestic opportunities, and reduce its dependence on external labor markets before this risk turns into a crisis. Read the complete policy viewpoint: pide.org.pk/research/the-m… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar #PIDE #PolicyResearch #Remittances #MiddleEast #GeoPolitics #PakistanEconomy

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? Decarbonisation is no longer just an environmental priority. It is an economic imperative. As global markets shift toward low-carbon standards, countries that fail to adapt risk losing export competitiveness, access to finance, and long-term growth opportunities. In his latest article, Bilal Aftab (Staff Economist at @PIDEpk) outlines why delaying action could impose far greater economic costs on Pakistan than timely transition. Read more: brecorder.com/news/40412276 #PIDE #Decarbonisation #ClimatePolicy #PakistanEconomy #SustainableFuture

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐳 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟓–𝟏𝟕% With rising Middle East tensions, a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could severely impact Pakistan’s economy. Over 80% of oil imports depend on this route, making the country highly vulnerable. In this op-ed, Dr. Abida Naurin (@abida_15) highlights that even a short closure could triple the oil import bill and push inflation to 15–17%, putting pressure on foreign reserves and economic stability. Read here: brecorder.com/news/40412105 @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @ForeignOfficePk, @MoCommercePk, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #PakistanEconomy #EnergyCrisis #Inflation #OilShock #PIDE

𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝘇 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸: 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz can have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s economy. As a major oil-importing country, even small shocks can affect fuel prices, inflation, and external-sector stability. In the latest #PIDE working paper, Dr. Ahsan ul Haq (@sattiahsan1) and Dr. Shahzada M. Naeem Nawaz (@SMNaeemNawaz) examine how different shock scenarios—mild to severe—can reverse disinflation trends and amplify inflation through rising transport and food costs. The study also highlights pressures on the import bill and current account, emphasizing the need for coordinated and targeted policy responses. Read more: pide.org.pk/research/pakis… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @Financegovpk, @ForeignOfficePk, @mincompk, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #PakistanEconomy #EnergySecurity #Inflation #EconomicPolicy #PIDE

📢 𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬’ 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 We invite you to join us for the #PIDE Scholars' Seminar featuring two important research discussions on Pakistan’s economic vulnerabilities and social protection dynamics. 🔹 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝟏: Pakistan’s Exposure to a Strait of Hormuz Shock: Fuel Pricing, Inflation, and External Vulnerability Presenters: Dr. Ahsan ul Haq Satti (@sattiahsan1) & Dr. S. M. Naeem Nawaz (@SMNaeemNawaz) Discussant: Dr. Amjad Masood 🔹 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝟐: What Happens When Women Suddenly Stop Receiving Cash Transfers? Presenter: Dr. Nasir Iqbal (@drniqbal) Discussant: Dr. Shujaat Farooq (@ShujaatSohal) 📅 Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026 ⏰ Time: AM (PKT) 📍 Venue: A.R. Kemal Hall, PIDE @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar #PIDE #PIDEScholarsSeminar #PakistanEconomy #EconomicResearch #FuelPricing #Inflation

Pakistan has talent, markets, and opportunity—yet growth remains frustratingly elusive. In his latest Op-Ed, Dr. Nadeem Javaid (@nadeemjavaid75) Vice Chancellor #PIDE, unpacks 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭. Read here: tribune.com.pk/story/2597957/… @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @Financegovpk, @FBRSpokesperson #PakistanEconomy #EconomicReform #PublicPolicy #Governance #PIDE

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 Pakistan’s recent economic stability may face new risks as tensions rise between the US/Israel and Iran. The country remains highly dependent on the Gulf—about 81% of its oil imports and over half of remittances come from GCC countries. In this op-ed, Dr. Junaid Ahmed (@JunaidEcon) and Wajid Islam (@wajidislam01) highlight how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, higher oil prices, or slower Gulf economies could strain Pakistan’s energy imports, remittances, and foreign reserves. Read More: thenews.pk/print/1404698-… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @ForeignOfficePk, @GovtofPakistan, @mincompk, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #PakistanEconomy #EnergySecurity #Remittances #MiddleEast #EconomicStability

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 A potential three-month closure of the Strait of Hormuz could push global oil prices to $120–150 per barrel, tripling Pakistan’s monthly oil import bill and driving inflation toward 15–17%. PIDE latest Policy Viewpoint by Dr. Abida Naurin (@abida_15), examines how Middle East geopolitical tensions could fuel inflation in Pakistan and outlines urgent measures such as oil hedging, energy diversification, and export controls on essential goods. Read more: pide.org.pk/research/world… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @MoWP15, @ForeignOfficePk, @Official_PetDiv, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #PIDE #PakistanEconomy #OilPrices #Inflation #EnergySecurity #Geopolitics

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 Pakistan’s Track and Trace System aims to curb tax evasion, yet a key question remains: why are private factories required to install 24/7 surveillance while government warehouses lack the same oversight? In this op-ed, 𝐌𝐞𝐡𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐦𝐭𝐚𝐳, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 (𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲) #PIDE, examines gaps in enforcement, accountability, and institutional capacity, arguing that technology alone cannot fix a system where the state holds industry to standards it does not apply to itself. Read More: brecorder.com/news/40411193 @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @FBRSpokesperson, @NABPakistan, @CCP_Pakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #TaxEvasion #PakistanEconomy #Governance #Accountability #FBR #PIDE

𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠? Take a quick look at the 𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 below to understand what’s driving the gold market and what experts expect next. Read the full article by Dr. Hafsa Hina (@drhafsahina), Associate Professor, PIDE: pide.org.pk/research/gold-… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #GoldPrices #InvestmentStrategy #PakistanEconomy #FinancialMarkets #PIDE

𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝟭𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗶𝗱-𝗲-𝗔𝘇𝗮𝗺 Do you have ideas about Pakistan’s future? Share your perspective and celebrate the vision of Faith, Unity, and Discipline. English Topic: Pakistan of the Modern Era in the context of Quaid-e-Azam’s vision اردو موضوع: جدید دور کا پاکستان: قائداعظم کے نظریے ایمان، اتحاد اور تنظیم کے تناظر میں Submission Deadline: 18 March 2026 Submission & Queries at: studentsactivities@pide.org.pk Winning essays will qualify to contest for top three positions to be awarded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Rs. 500,000 for first place Rs. 300,000 for second place Rs. 200,000 for third place @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar #PIDE #HEC #EssayCompetition #QuaidEAzam150 #YearOfQuaid

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁 @PIDEpk Dr. Batool completed her postdoctoral research at Purdue University, USA. Her research interests include transport economics, monetary economics, international trade, macroeconomic modeling and forecasting. She has led major macroeconomic modeling projects and collaborated internationally, including DAAD-funded research with Germany. Her work has been published in leading international journals, including Public Choice, Telecommunications Policy, Research in Transportation Economics, and Journal of Air Transport Management, and has been cited by The Wall Street Journal (USA). We look forward to her leadership in further strengthening PIDE’s research excellence and policy impact. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar #PIDE #WelcomeOnBoard #PolicyResearch #Economics #Transport #MacroEconomics

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐫 Rising tensions around Iran could trigger consequences far beyond the Middle East. From disruptions in oil supply and global trade routes to pressures on remittances and energy prices, the fallout could significantly affect developing economies. In this op-ed, Dr. Syed Hasanat Shah (@Hasanatsyed1), Professor of Economics at #PIDE, explores possible geopolitical and economic scenarios, from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to regional escalation, and what they could mean for Pakistan’s economic stability. Read More: brecorder.com/news/40410579 @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @ForeignOfficePk, @GovtofPakistan, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #PakistanEconomy #MiddleEast #EnergySecurity #GlobalEconomy #Geopolitics #PIDE

Strengthening preparedness through partnership 🤝 The Recovery and Reconstruction Unit of @PlanComPakistan, together with #UNDPinPakistan, convened a Core Committee Meeting on the 2025 Floods Validation Exercise, bringing together key government and development partners — including EAD, @ndmapk, PDMAs, P&D Departments, @WBG_Pakistan, @PakistanADB and @EUPakistan — to review progress, advance data consolidation, capture lessons learned and align next steps for stronger recovery planning. With consultants now on board and coordination underway across Punjab and KP, the exercise — supported by UNDP as part of its broader #FloodRecoveryProgramme — is contributing to evidence-based recovery planning and more resilient outcomes. Preparedness today shapes resilience tomorrow. #UraanPakistan #DisasterRecovery #ResilientPakistan #BuildForwardBetter

𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡: 𝐈𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐲? After reaching record highs in 2025, gold prices are now seeing a correction in early 2026 in both global and Pakistani markets—raising an important question for investors: opportunity or caution? In this op-ed, Dr. Hafsa Hina (@drhafsahina), Associate Professor at #PIDE, explains that the recent dip follows an extraordinary rise in prices amid inflation, geopolitical tensions, and strong institutional demand. Despite short-term volatility, gold continues to serve as a key hedge against inflation, currency depreciation, and economic uncertainty. Read More: brecorder.com/news/40410319 @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @StateBank_Pak, @SECPakistan, @Financegovpk, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #GoldPrices #InvestmentStrategy #PakistanEconomy #FinancialMarkets #PIDE

𝐀𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚 With nearly 60 percent of the population under 30, Pakistan has a powerful demographic advantage. But turning this youth bulge into opportunity requires more than digital skills. In this article, Madeeha Gohar Qureshi, Research Economist at @PIDEpk, highlights how AI and outsourcing can create new pathways for growth if supported by strong institutions, reliable digital infrastructure, and consistent policies. Read More: pakobserver.net/ai-revolution-… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @GovtofPakistan, @MoitOfficial, @Kalhorozulfiqar, @ShujaatSohal #PIDE #AIRevolution #Youth #DigitalEconomy #FutureOfWork