Was this content written or created while at IBA?

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Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

1-26-2004

Conference Name

Embassy of Pakistan Seminar

Conference Location

Washington D.C.

Conference Dates

January 26, 2004

Series

Faculty Research - Book Chapters and Conference Papers

First Page

1

Last Page

4

Keywords

Learnings, Economy, Pakistan, Experience, Pakistan's performance

Abstract / Description

Countries who learn from their own experiences have a better chance of avoiding the same mistakes and move forward. I will, therefore this evening, take a comparative long-term perspective and juxtapose Pakistan in relation to other developing countries and its own experience of the 1990’s. My hands-on involvement in restructuring of the economy during the last four years, in-depth analysis of the Pakistani economy as a detached observer and work experience with the World Bank for over 20 years makes it possible to share this unique perspective with you. Let me first respectfully but forcefully disagree with those who believe that Pakistan is economically weak and fragile and is too much dependent on external assistance. It is true that in the 1990’s Pakistan has not fared well in relation to its own potential or countries such as China or India but the historical performance of Pakistan over a forty-year period 1950-90 has been simply impressive. There are very few countries that have achieved average growth rate of 6 percent annually; low inflation, high agricultural and industrial output over such a long period of time. Consequently, the incidence of poverty fell from 46 percent to 18 percent by 1988-89.

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