Pakistan, Jan. 23 -- The costs of doing business in Pakistan is around 34 per cent higher than in comparable regional economies, creating a serious competitiveness challenge for local industry, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) said on Thursday.

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In a statement, the forum warned that elevated operating costs had significantly weakened the ability of Pakistani firms to compete in international markets. It attributed the situation to irrational taxation policies, high energy prices and persistent currency instability, which have kept exports stagnant since 2022 despite a broader recovery in global trade.

PBF Chairman Ahmad Jawad said businesses were struggling to survive, let alone ...