The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) launched its flagship publication, “State of Pakistans Economy 2025-26 – Missed Opportunity: Revisiting Pakistan’s Choices,” in an event that brought together leading economists, researchers, and students to discuss Pakistan’s current economic trajectory and policy choices.
Authored by faculty and researchers from IBA’s School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS), the report provides a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan’s economy, analyzing key challenges in governance, fiscal management, trade, and climate resilience. The study underscores how missed policy opportunities have constrained sustainable growth and calls for structural reforms across multiple sectors to unlock Pakistan’s potential.
The report includes detailed chapters on the economic growth landscape, fiscal analysis, trade performance, business confidence, the digital economy, and the socio-economic implications of the 2025-26 federal budget. It also explores pressing issues such as health, social protection, water scarcity, and climate vulnerability, emphasizing the interconnectedness between governance quality and environmental challenges.
Renowned economists and policymakers attended the event, including Dr Naeem Uz Zafar (SI), Chief Statistician at the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), and Dr Zehra Farooq, Secretary, Revenue Operations & Analysis at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The session was moderated by Dr Salman Khalid, Assistant Professor and Director of the Economic Growth & Forecasting Lab.
In his remarks, Dr Naeem Uz Zafar stressed the need for data-driven policymaking, urging greater collaboration between public and private stakeholders to develop targeted, evidence-based solutions. He highlighted the importance of using disaggregated data to identify bottlenecks and improve economic efficiency.
Meanwhile, Dr Zehra Farooq lauded the IBA-CBER report for its rigorous and policy-relevant research, noting that such analyses play a critical role in shaping informed public discourse on macroeconomic stability and future growth strategies.
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The event concluded with an engaging discussion among authors, economists, and participants, who appreciated IBA-CBER’s continued efforts in promoting evidence-based research and economic literacy in Pakistan. The report, “Missed Opportunity: Revisiting Pakistan’s Choices,” stands as a timely contribution to the national conversation on reform, resilience, and inclusive growth.