Afghanistan, March 13 -- Pakistan's economy faces persistent structural challenges that have hindered investment and economic growth for decades. The investment-to-GDP ratio has declined to 13.1% in FY24, marking its lowest level in 64 years, while neighboring economies such as India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam maintain ratios above 30%. This disparity highlights deep-rooted systemic issues that discourage productive capital inflows while fostering speculative and rent-seeking activities. Despite repeated efforts to attract foreign investment, fundamental barriers remain entrenched, limiting Pakistan's economic potential.
The country's approach to investment promotion often contrasts starkly with the realities on the ground. While officials p...