The revival of growth that started in 2013-14 has accelerated in 2014-15 as per latest indicators released by the National Accounts Committee. The factors contributing this momentum in growth include the reform initiatives, commitment to a calibrated fiscal and monetary management and an overall improvement in macroeconomic situation. The impact of these factors was strengthened by a steep decline in oil prices, rise in foreign exchange buffers, growth in remittances and proceeds from privatisation.
Fiscal year 2014-15 registered some remarkable achievements. Inflation hit the lowest level at 2.1 percent on YoY in April since 2003-04. The policy rate decelerated at 7 percent which was lowest in last 42 years, capital market created history, grading by international rating agencies improved, historical agreement with Chinese Government on China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), successfully reviews with IMF, issuance of Ijara Sakuk Bond after a period of 9 year, decline in unemployment rate from 6.2 to 6.0 percent etc. These achievements must be viewed in the backdrop of severe downside risk that prevailed at international and national economic landscape, security challenges for which the government and people are paying heavy price both in cash and kind, along with unprecedented weather behaviour. The initial months of the current fiscal year braved some headwinds due to Dharna and political turmoil. However, the economy was put back on track and economic indicators showed positive results.
The year 2014-15 ended with sharp improvement in the external account, as the sudden fall in international oil prices along with strong growth in remittances helped contain the current account deficit. The disbursement of tranches from the IMF and successful issue of Sukuk Bond in the international market swelled the foreign exchange reserves to a comfortable level. Before the present government took office, the ratings of S&P and Moody's were B- with stable outlook and Caa1 with negative outlook, respectively. Both credit rating agencies have upgraded rating on outlook from stable to positive.
Pakistan's current account deficit narrowed around 50 percent in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year as the country received higher remittances from its citizens living abroad, while low oil prices helped cushion the cost of imports. The current account deficit was curtailed to $1.364 billion in July-April 201415 from $2.931 billion in the same period last fiscal year. If this trend continues, the country can add more foreign currency reserves during the remaining months of the current fiscal year. So the government had projected the current account deficit of $2.8 billion for the entire fiscal year.
In fact the latest numbers indicate that the current account deficit can further be reduced. In April, current account surplus was recorded as $275 million. The current account deficit was 0.6 percent of GDP in July-April FY 15 period as compared to 1.3 percent of GDP in the corresponding period. However, trade deficit, widened to 0.7 percent in the period under review. Pakistan exported $20.176 billion of products in the 10 months of this fiscal year as against $20.834 billion a year ago. Imports amounted to $34.086 billion versus $34.645 billion. Financial account stood at US $2.836 billion during the period under discussion compared to US $3.481 billion in same period last year. The major difference is due to realisation of US $2 billion through sale of Euro bond last year. In FY 15, there was realization of $1.0 billion through the issuance of sovereign Sukuk bonds in the international market, disbursement of loan tranches from the IMF and other multilateral foreign inflows. A narrowing deficit stabilised the country's foreign exchange reserves, as well as the value of Rupee, which has been hovering at Rs 101/US dollars since January this year. The country's foreign exchanges reserves reached a comfortable level of $17.739 billion, while the forex reserves of the State Bank stood at $12.550 billion as of May 8.
In 2008, Pakistan had entered into a Standby Arrangement (SBA) amounting to US $7.6 billion. However the programme was discontinued, as the government was unable to meet its conditionalities. This government had negotiated US $6.67 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement with IMF. Seven quarterly reviews have been successfully completed and the program is on track.
Successful engagements with IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank have declared Pakistan eligible for program loans. In appreciation of the reforms program, the World Bank has recommenced its program lending to Pakistan which was stopped since 2009. The IBRD lending to Pakistan, which was put on hold for several years, given an adverse balance of payments situation and drop of foreign exchange reserves to less than 2.5 months of exports has also been resumed and Pakistan is now an IBRD eligible country.
Fiscal data indicates that the government was able to contain its deficit due to low growth in expenditure. Also, the financing mix improved as increased external funding reduced the burden on the banking system, particularly on the central bank. Consequently, for the first time in the current IMF program, the country met all the quantitative (performance) targets for end- December 2014.
A stable exchange rate, and the fact that the government passed on the benefits of lower global oil prices to domestic consumers, not only softened inflationary expectations but also pulled down headline CPI inflation to a decade- low.
On the privatisation front, PC has successfully concluded three Capital Market Transactions, in June, 2014 ie UBL offering (fetching proceeds of -PKR 38,223 million, including foreign exchange of -US $315 million) & PPL Offering (fetching proceeds of -PKR 15,342 million) and in December 2014, ABL Offering (fetching proceeds of -PKR 14,440 million, including foreign exchange of -US $19 million), thus relaunching the privatisation programme after a lapse of six years. In April, 2015, the Commission has concluded one (01) capital market transaction of HBL fetching proceeds of PKR-102 billion (including foreign exchange of US $-764 million). Strategic Sale of Heavy Electrical Complex is also expected to generate cash proceeds of Rs 250 million besides clearance of its liabilities amounting to approx: Rs 850 million.
Appointment of Financial Advisor (FAs) for privatisation of Islamabad Electric Supply Co (IESCO), National Power Generation Co LTD (NPGCL), National Power Construction Corp (NPCC) and PIA has been completed. Process for appointment of FAs for remaining power sector companies has been initiated. Expression of Interest (EOL) for Acquisition of a minimum of 88 percent shares of National Power Construction (Private) Limited (NPCC) has also been launched.
For the fiscal year 2014-15, the GDP growth target was set at 5.1 percent on the back of growth of 3.3 percent from agriculture, 6.8 percent from industry 5.2 percent from services sector. The growth targets were consistent with assumptions of better production from agriculture important crops, improvement in energy supplies, normal weather condition, and better investment prospects.
According to provisional estimates the GDP growth during 2014-15 remained at 4.24 percent as compared to last year 4.03 percent revised estimates. The Agriculture posted growth of 2.9, industry 3.6 and services 5.0 percent as compared to 2.7, 4.5 and 4.4 percent respectively.
The floods hit the kharif crops in Punjab and afterward wheat productivity was also affected due to unprecedented rains and prolonged winter. Despite this adverse development, overall performance of agriculture presented a mix trend in growth as it marginally improved to 2.9 percent as compared to 2.7 percent last year. The production of wheat was projected at record 26 million tons,- the highest in last five years but actual production was below expectation at 25.47 million tons. Sugar crop also could not hit the target. The rice crop performed much better over the last 5 years registering 3.0 percent growth over last year production and 2.92 percent higher than the target. Maize production was 8.03 percent above the target but remained 5 percent behind last year's production. Cotton production registered a remarkable improvement of 13.98 million bales depicting a growth of 9.5 percent as compared to last year. The cotton production also remained highest in last 5 years.
The industrial sector showed moderate growth of 3.62 percent during first three quarters of the current fiscal year. The Large Scale Manufacturing sector which has a share of 11 percent in industry and 80 percent in manufacturing could not perform better as compared to last year. The growth in LSM remained at 2.5 percent during first three quarters of current fiscal year as compared to 4.6 percent of the corresponding period last year. LSM started with the declining trend at the start of current fiscal year, however, improvement witnessed in the following months but overall growth remained subdued against the target of 7 percent. Despite the persistent energy shortages especially gas, the activities in textile sector which on account of its high weight correspondingly impacted the growth. On the positive side, despite the iron and steel products growth which was below 4 percent last year remarkably increased to 36 percent on account of government's supportive policies particularly the bale out package for PSM followed by automobile sector which was at less than one percent last year improved by 17 percent, pharmaceutical which declined by 0.39 percent last year improved by more than 6 percent.
Better growth has also been witnessed in construction relating industry which suggests improvement in construction activities in the country.
Some positivity has been witnessed in the LSM on YoY growth as it posted a growth of 4.5 percent against a negative growth of 1.0 percent last year. If this trend continue LSM sector likely to pick up its growth momentum in the remaining months of current fiscal year which will help in stimulating full year growth of GDP in general and industrial sector in particular. The small and medium manufacturing sub-sector grew at a constant annual rate at 8.2 percent. The PBS have started survey which will depict better growth position of this sector once the survey is completed in the coming year.
The services sector registered a growth of 5 percent against the target of 5.2 percent but remained higher compared to the last year growth of 4.4 percent. In the services sector major growth came from finance and insurance which posted a growth of 6.2 percent against the target of 5.8 percent and growth of 4.2 percent of last year. The performance of the banking sector, which dominates the financial sector of Pakistan, was impressive. Its asset base has increased tremendously over the year. The alignments of regulatory capital requirements in Pakistan with best international practices coupled with high profitability helped in achieving strong solvency with an overall Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 17.4 percent as of end March 2015; much higher than the minimum required level of 10 percent.
The transport and communication performance remained moderate as compared to the target and performance of the last year. The general government services sector has also shown improved performance at 9 percent higher than the target of 4.3 percent and growth of 2.9 percent during last year on account of increase in pay & pension as well as low growth in deflator.
The wholesale and retail sector grew respectively at a rate of 3.4 percent compared to 3.9 percent of last year and against the target of 6.1 percent. This sector is depended on agriculture and industrial sector output and imports. The moderate growth in the commodity producing sector impacted whole sale and retails trade while other private services sector contributed positively.
The total investment to GDP improved at 15.1 percent (Provisional Estimate) as compared to 13.9 percent (Provisional Estimate) of last year which have been revised to 14.9 percent during current fiscal year. Savings improved to 14.5 percent of the GDP as compared to revised rate of savings to GDP of 13.7 percent. This year the margin between the targets was not as wide as last year thus showing improvement.
The provisional estimate of Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) for the year 2014-15 stands at Rs 3702 billion which increased by 10.3 percent as compared to 2013-14. GFCF in private sector in 2014-15 is estimated at Rs 2644.9 billion as against Rs 2513.4 billion of 2013- 14, showing an increase of 5.2 percent. In public sector GFCF remained at Rs 301.6 billion against Rs 251.6 billion last year showing a positive growth of 20 percent. GFCF by General Government stood at Rs 755.1 billion against Rs 590 billion showing growth of 28 percent.
In June 2013, the government had inherited a projected fiscal deficit of 8.8 percent, which was brought down to 8.2 percent. In the following year 2013-14, the government further reduced the deficit to 5.5 percent. In the current fiscal year, fiscal deficit is likely to be 5.0 percent on account of revised GDP.
On the revenue side, the biggest challenge was extremely adverse impact of the declining oil prices adversely affecting the most important contributor to revenues from the oil and gas sector and its numerous upstream and downstream activities. The rapidly falling inflation and consequent decline in the projected nominal GDP further compounded the tax revenue problems. The combined effect of these factors was an estimated shortfall in FBR collections of Rs 205 billion - a fall from Rs 2810 billion to Rs 2605 billion.
There were other revenue challenges on the tax side, most notably GIDC, which for a long time was suspended by Court Orders. However, the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan has set- aside restraining order and it is expected to recover stuck-up revenues from this source.
Despite a series of unforeseen expenditures on account of floods, enhancement of security and hosting and resettlement of IDPs, the government has largely succeeded in containing current expenditure to the budgeted level, through tight budgetary controls.
During 2014-15, the availability of water for Kharif 2014 stood at 69.3 (MAF) showing an increase of 5.8 percent more than Kharif 2013 and 3.3 percent more than the normal supplies of 67.1 MAF. The water availability during Rabi season 2014-15 is estimated at 33.1 MAF, which is 1.8 percent higher than Rabi 2013-14 but 9.1 percent less than the normal availability of 36.4 MAF.
During July- March 2014-15, the banks have disbursed Rs 326.0 billion which is 65.2 percent of the overall annual target of Rs 500 billion and 27.5 percent higher than disbursement of Rs 255.7 billion made during the corresponding period last year. The banks were able to achieve 65 percent of their annual indicative targets of Rs 500 billion.
Kharif 2014 started with inventory of 386 thousand tonnes of urea. Total availability of urea (including 122 thousand tonnes of imported supplies and 2451 thousand tonnes of domestic production) was about 2959 thousand tonnes against the offtake of 2716 thousand tonnes, leaving an inventory of 184 thousand tonnes for Rabi 2014-15. Total availability of DAP during Kharif 2014 was 1023 thousand tonnes comprising 99 thousand tonnes of inventory, 524 thousand tonnes of imported supplies and 400 thousand tonnes of local production. DAP offtake was 586 thousand tonnes leaving closing balance of 430 thousand tonnes for coming Rabi 2014-15.
Rabi 2014-15 started with an opening balance of 184 thousand tonnes of urea. Domestic production during Rabi 2014-15 was estimated at 2493 thousand tonnes. Urea offtake during current Rabi 2014-15 is expected to be 3100 thousand tonnes, against 3253 thousand tonnes of total availability, leaving a closing balance of 151 thousand tonnes for next season. DAP availability in current season of Rabi is estimated as 1260 thousand tonnes, which included 430 thousand tonnes of inventory, 498 thousand tonnes of imported supplies and domestic production of 332 thousand tonnes. Off take of DAP during current Rabi season was about 1140 thousand tonnes, leaving a balance of 118 thousand tonnes for next season.
Board of Investment (BOI) under Prime Minister Office is taking policy measures to provide more investment friendly environment to investors. BOI's mandate covers both domestic and foreign private investment. The FDI Strategy sets out roadmap to promote FDI and proposes broadly defined action programs for attracting FDI into Pakistan. To maximise the contributions of FDI to Pakistan's economic development, this FDI Strategy furthermore envisages special programs to promote the linkages between domestically and foreign- owned private enterprises, such as local supplier, sub-contractor or joint venture programs.
Number of factors like long march/dharna, energy shortages, and war against extremism remained obstacles in attracting FDI against potential of the country. Now situation is improving as the present government has launched comprehensive plan to create investment friendly environment & to attract foreign investors in the country. Consequently, revival of investor's confidence has been captured in better returns on investment in the Karachi stock market. The market continued its upward trend reaching to all time high. KSE 100 witnessed its highest level in the history and presently it is trading above 32,500. In terms of market capitalisation, it improved from $51.3 billion in May 2013 to $71.8 billion by 30th April, 2015. During July-April, FDI inflows posted a growth of 10.2 percent and reached to $2,057.3 million against $1,866.3 million in the same period of FY14. During July-April, FY 15, foreign private investment increased to $1,666.2 million against $1,050.3 million in the comparable period of FY14 thus showing a sign of restoring investor's confidence which has set back due to dharna in first quarter of FY15. The major FDI inflows are from China, US, UAE, UK & Italy. Communications, oil & gas exploration, financial business, power and chemicals remained the main recipient of sectors of FDI.
Government of Pakistan's program Pakistan Remittances Initiative has also played a significant role to encourage inflows from Pakistani Diaspora. There is a continuous increase in Workers' Remittances, which is an indicator that they are also playing significant contribution in the development of the country. Workers' Remittances reached at $14,969.66 million in July-April of the 2014-15, against the $12,897.91 million in the same period of last fiscal year showed a growth of 16.06 percent over the same period last year.
Total revenue grew by 8.3 percent during July- March, 2014-15 and stood at Rs 2,682.6 billion against Rs 2,477.4 billion in the same period of 2013-14. Total tax collection amounted to Rs 2,063.2 billion during July- March, 2014-15 against Rs 1,786.2 billion in the same period of 2013-14, thus posted a growth of 15.5 percent. While during July-March, 2014-15 non tax revenues witnessed a decline and reached to Rs 619.5 billion from Rs 691.2 billion in the comparable period of 2013-14.
During July-April, 2014-15, FBR has collected Rs 1972.4 billion as provisional tax revenues against Rs 1744.9 billion reflecting a growth of 13.0 percent. During the current fiscal year, a number of compensatory measures were introduced to maintain the tax revenues at modest level after the significant fall in international oil prices and resultant decline in domestic retail fuel prices which has affected the tax revenues. Increase in GST rate on petroleum products from 17 percent to 22 percent and then to 27 percent , introduction of additional revenue measures at federal level to meet the shortfall including levying regulatory duties on imports of more than 300 items and levying a 2 percent withholding tax on nonfilers service providers and importers. However, to achieve the fiscal sustainability, present government is stringently focusing on wide- ranging resource mobilisation strategy with an aim to increase the tax to GDP ratio to 15 percent in next few years.
On expenditure side, total expenditure amounted to Rs 3,731.6 billion during July-March, 201415 against Rs 3,446.2 billion. Of which, current expenditure grew by 10.1 percent and amounted to Rs 3,199.1 billion against Rs 2,904.6 billion in the comparable period last year. Development expenditure and net lending grew by 6.9 percent during July-March, 2014-15 and reached to Rs 594.0 billion against Rs 555.8 billion in the same period last year.
One of the important development is a remarkable increase in PSDP which has witnessed a growth of 27.1 percent and reached at Rs 499.4 billion against Rs 393.0 billion in the comparable period of fiscal year 2013-14. Overall development expenditures registered a remarkable growth of 23.4 percent during the same period. Within PSDP, Federal and Provincial ADP grew by 7.6 and 46.0 percent, respectively, during first nine months of current fiscal year against. One of the significant development was decline in current subsidies as during July-March, 2014-15 it remained lower than last year and stood at Rs 185.9 billion from Rs 201.8 billion in the comparable period of 2013-14.
Broad Money (M2) witnessed an increase of 7.33 percent during July-8th May,2014-15 to stand at Rs 730.5 billion against the expansion of 7.05 percent (Rs 624.3 billion) in the comparable period last year mainly due to increase in net government borrowing specially from scheduled banks. While year on year growth in M2 was recorded at 12.8 percent as on May 8, 2015.
Net Foreign Assets (NFA) of the banking sector witnessed an increase and reached to Rs 220.1 billion during July-8th May, 2014-15 as against the net expansion of Rs 243.7 billion in the comparable period of fiscal year 2013-14. NDA of the banking sector grew at 5.45 percent (Rs 510.5 billion) during July-8th May, 2014-15 as compared to net expansion of 4.43 percent (Rs 380.6 billion) in the same period last year. It is encouraging to note that SBP's NDA target for end-March 2015, limit agreed with the IMF was met due to government's efforts to improve financing mix of budget deficit and lower its reliance on SBP borrowing.
Government borrowing for budgetary support stood at Rs 601.1 billion during July-8thMay, 2014- 15 against Rs 240.2 billion in the same period of fiscal year 2013-14. Within the banking system, government has retired Rs 532.4 billion to SBP during July-8thMay, 201415 against the retirement of Rs 10.5 billion in the same period last year.
Credit to private sector increased to Rs 161.7 billion during July- 8th May, 2014-15 against the expansion of Rs 292.9 billion in the same period of last year, thus posted a growth of 4.3 percent as compared to 8.7 percent in the comparable period of last year. However, despite low expansion, credit to private sector posted a growth of 6.6 percent on year on year basis as on 8th May,2014-15 against the growth of 5.2 percent recorded in the same period last year. However, demand for credit to private sector is likely to pick up with lagged impact of cutting in cumulative discount rate by 300 bps in coming months.
Financial system indicators also remained robust as asset quality has slightly improved with a decline in the non performing loan (NPL) ratio to 12.3 percent and the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) increased to 17.1 percent by end- December 2014 due to accumulation of profits and fresh equity injection by some banks. While CAR increased to 17.4 percent as of end March, 2015.
Auto sector remained top performer amid the list of top ten performing sectors in terms of market capital. "Automobile sector remained a standout performer in 2014 as its market capital increased by 133 percent during the year to date, depreciating Yen against US-Dollar and Pak- Rupee, introduction of new models by car assemblers and initiations of Punjab Taxi scheme were some of the key triggers driving sector performance during the year. China Shanghai Composite index showed a robust growth of 117 percent, Japan Nikkei improved by 28.7 percent while Hong Kong Hang Seng increased by 21.3 percent during the period under review. Whereas, India's Sensex increased only by 6.3 percent, US S&P by 6.4 percent and UK FTSE by 3.2 percent during July-April 2014-15. KSE growth of 13.7 percent during this period remained better than the regional and international markets.
During the period July 2014 to December 2014, five debt securities were issued which include two domestic Sukuk amounting of Rs 26 billion, one international Sukuk of Rs 100 billion (US $1 billion) and two Privately placed Term Finance Certificates amounting Rs 6 billion. The total size of the Mutual Fund industry stood at Rs 510.920 billion as of February 28, 2015 as compared to Rs 447.62 billion on July 31, 2014, showing an increase of Rs 63.3 billion or 14% over the period. The total number of funds stood at 165 on February 28, 2015 as compared to 160 on July 31, 2014.
The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) is playing vital role of promoting savings culture in Pakistan side by side supporting the Government of Pakistan to finance the fiscal deficit through non bank borrowing. As of 31st March, 2015, the portfolio of NSS is Rs 2,938,920.21 million which constitute the 25 percent share of overall domestic debt of GoP.
To contain inflation, the government has taken various measures. Throughout the year, the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) kept a constant watch over prices and the supply of essential commodities in its regular meeting. Provincial Governments also took proactive measure during the year to maintain price stability through better price check. The appropriate fiscal and monetary policies persuaded by the government during the year also helped in maintaining price stability.
Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves improved by US $3.6 billion since July, 2014 and remained around US $17.8 billion at end April, 2015, a change of more than 25 percent. In respect of exchange rate, Pak Rupee recorded a depreciation of 3.1 percent during Jul-Apr 2015 due to delays in the 4th review of the IMF program and the political uncertainty in the country since mid-August. Pakistan's exports to EU have increased from US $6.21 billion during 2013 to US $7.54 billion in 2014. Pakistan's exports to EU registered an increase of US $I. 32 billion in one year. This represents an increase of 21 percent.
Similar to the last year's trend, Pakistan's public debt dynamics continued to witness positive developments during first nine months of current fiscal year. An improvement was observed in most of the public debt sustainability indicators. In addition, composition of public debt further improved due to increased mobilisation through medium to long term domestic debt instruments and higher disbursements from external sources.
Some of the positive developments are as follow:
-- Pakistan successfully returned to the International Islamic Bond market in November 2014 with the issuance of US $1 billion Pakistan International Sukuk.
-- Pakistan has become eligible for concessional IBRD funding which will be used to fund priority infrastructure / development projects.
-- Government made progress in achieving the targets set under Pakistan's first Medium Term Debt Management Strategy (2013/14 - 2017/18) as the government was able to reduce its refinancing risk by re-profiling its domestic debt and increasing the external inflows.
During July-March, 2014-15, public debt servicing was recorded at Rs 1,193 billion against the annual budgeted estimate of Rs 1,686 billion. Public debt servicing consumed nearly 44.5 percent of total revenues during first nine months of current fiscal year against a ratio of 47 percent during the same period last year.
EDL stock was recorded at US $62.6 billion as at end March 2015 out of which external public debt was US $49.1 billion. Public external debt witnessed a decline of US $2.3 billion during first nine months of current fiscal year. The disbursements including loans and grants stood at US $4,001 million compared with US $2,301 million during the same period last year. Pakistan also received US $2,106 million from the IMF.
Servicing of EDL fell by US $1,282 million in first nine months of current fiscal year as compared to the same period last year and recorded at US $5,303 million. Out of this total, principal repayments were US $3,291 million and interest payments were US $812 million, whereas an amount of US $1,200 million was rolled over. Among the principal repayments, US $935 million of multilateral debt and US $1040 million of IMF accounted for most of the share.
GER at the primary level excluding Katchi (prep) for the age group 5-9 years at national level during 2013-14 recorded at 90.0 percent as compared to 91 percent in 2012-13 while NER at the national level during 2013-14 remained at 57 percent.
The overall education situation based on key indicators such as likely enrolments, number of institutes and teachers, has depicted a slight improvement. The total number of enrolments during 2013-14 was recorded at 42.1 million as compared to 41.1 million during the same period last year, an increase of 2.4 percent. Under Prime Minister's "Hunarmand Pakistan Program" short-term skill development training up to six-month duration courses was conducted in collaboration with public and private sector training institutes. It covers four priority sectors including: Construction, Agriculture (Dairy & Livestock), IT & Telecommunication and Skills for Women. So far, 116,776 trainees have been trained.
HEC is also contributing to play its role in running different scholarship programmes to enhance academic qualification at various levels on merit basis in line with specified criteria. During the period 2008-14, a total number of 10,376 Scholarships were awarded under different programmes of HEC. Under Prime Minister's Fee Reimbursement Scheme for less developed areas, Reimbursement to around 50,0 students of less developed areas is being carried out during 2014-15. The Government of Pakistan has allocated Rs 20.021 billion in PSDP 2014-15 for 191 development projects (136 ongoing and 55 new ) with main focus on Human Resource Development through merit and Need based scholarships.
The total expenditure on health during (Jul- March) 2014-15 is estimated Rs 114.2 billion which works out as 0.4 percent of GDP. The new health facilities added to the overall health services system during 2014-15 include 3500 doctors, 350 dentists, 3,300 nurses and 3,900 hospital beds. To control the diseases and alleviate the suffering of various diseases, various health programs like TB, Malaria and AIDs control programs have been carried out. The calories intake per day person has increased from 2,484 to 2,490 in 2014-15 showing an increase of 0.24 percent over last year.
Pakistan has remarkable young age structure, which puts a considerable stress on the economy. These young people if not properly trained will only add marginally to the productive resources of the country but will put a large burden on health, education and jobs. This will worsen both the economic and social situation. Conversely with effective government policies for their education and training, these youth can become a powerful force for economic development.
According to the Labour Force Survey 2013-14, Pakistan has 60.09 million labour force. Out of this labour force, only 56.52 million people got employment and 3.58 million people are unemployed. The government is highly committed to improve employment level in the country and as a result unemployment rate has decreased from 6.24 percent in 2012-13 to 6.0 percent in 2013-14. Most of the labour force in Pakistan works in the rural areas where agriculture is the dominant activity. The total labour force working in the agricultural sector decreased from 43.7 percent in 2012-13 to 43.48 percent in 2013-14. In manufacturing sector the labour force participation rate has remained unchanged in 2013-14 and the share in transport sector has increased from 4.98 percent in 201213 to 5.44 percent in 2013-14.
Overseas employees are one of the most important features in national economic development and the government has never neglected this aspect. The government is committed on producing skilled workers in order to send them abroad to ensure higher foreign exchange. During 1971 - 2014 periods, almost 7.8 million Pakistanis proceeded abroad for employment through the Bureau of Emigration. The main concentration of Overseas Pakistanis is in the Middle East 49 percent, Europe 28.2 percent and United States of America 16 percent. More than two thousand licensed Overseas Employment Promoters are perpetually working to procure more and more manpower demands from man power importing countries. Resultantly, manpower export has increased from 0.622 million in 2013 to 0.752 million in 2014.
In the current year 2014-15 PSDP, the government has allocated Rs 111.56 billion for these development projects which would add a sizable portion of roads to the existing network. Similarly Pakistan Railways have taken many new initiatives in line with the government's Vision 2025 objectives for development of railways infrastructure to increase its share in the overall transport sector from 4 percent to 20 percent by the end of 2025. Railway Board has been made functional, tariff is being regularly rationalised based on the market dynamics to improve occupancy and increase revenue of Pakistan Railways to transform it into a profitable organisation.
HSD oil reserves availability has been enhanced to 12 days to streamline trains operation, public private partnership initiative has been taken, new air-conditioned train called Green Train Service with free meal, bedding, Wi-Fi and newspaper has been started from Islamabad to Karachi.
Under the new policy initiative of 'Revival of PIA' the PIA management has signed an agreement with the financing facility of EXIM Bank of USA and General Electronics to overhaul and carry out maintenance of the engines of PIA Boeing Air Crafts. Despite an over increasing financial cost, the Airline has been involved in taking various steps to reduce costs and improve productivity. These measures includes contracts re-negotiation, route rationalisation by discontinuing loss making routes, re-deploying aircraft on more profitable routes and additional flights on high yield strategic international routes and additional flights on primary domestic routes have been operated after the addition of narrow body aircrafts acquired on lease basis. These steps under taken not only reduced PIA losses from Rs 44.3 billion to Rs 32.0 billion in 2014 but also increased its operating revenue from Rs 95.771 billion in 2013 to Rs 99.519 in 2014.
Performance of Ports and Shipping is also encouraging despite a depressed trading scenario world-wide. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation with a total dead-weight capacity of 681,806 metric tons has improved its profitability and earned Rs 11.424 billion during July-March, 2014-15, against Rs 11.370 billion during corresponding period last year. Karachi Port Trust is operating on 11.5 km long approach channel, a depth of 12 meters and a turning basin of 600 meters. KPT provides safe navigation for vessels up to 75000 metric tons dead-weight and handled 32.133 million tons of cargo during July-March, 2014-15 as compared to 30.677 million tons in the same period last year.
Total volume of import handled at Port Qasim was 15.198 million tons in July-March, 2014-15 against import of 13.084 million tons last year. The volume of export handled was also 6.420 million tons during July-March 2014-15, which was 9.1 percent higher than the same period last year. Gwadar port is the future centre piece of China Pakistan strategic partnership with its strategic location and potential for becoming the future economic and industrial hub. Phase-1 of it has been made operational in 2006 and in May, 2013 the Ports Concessional Rights were transferred from Port of Singapore Authority to the new operator viz, China Overseas Ports Holding Company Ltd. Currently all bulk cargo comprising urea, wheat and coal is imported/handled through Gwadar Port.
Due to rapidly changing landscape technology in telecom sector the cellular mobile and smart phone has been pinnacle of regulatory success in Pakistan. Today, total subscribers have reached to the level of 134 million by end of March, 2015 as compared to just 5 million in 2004. The proposed telecom policy envisages a boost of export in telecom sector from current level of US $1.4 billion to the level of US $4.0 billion by 2020 and an increase in telecom revenue to the tune of Rs 800 billion in next five years.
Energy sector always remained a key component of dialogue between the government and multilateral and bilateral development partners. During the recent visit of the Prime Minister to Turkmenistan, apart from mutual co-operation on various fields like trade, education, etc., the review of Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline and energy security remained main focus of the meeting. As a major progress, the laying down of US $10 to 12 billion TAPI gas pipeline project is expected to be materialised by end of 2017 will be providing the gas of 1.3 billion cubic feet to Pakistan. Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan linked the Transaction Advisory Services Agreement (TASA) with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to find leading, technically and financially sound company that could form a consortium to generate the finances for the project.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved assistance packages to help Pakistan to undertake key reforms in the power sector. This included funding to ensure energy delivery to industrial and private consumers, and to build two vital power generation plants in Sindh Province. The Jamshoro Power Generation Project, which on completion in 2018, will add 1,300 megawatts (MW) to the country's electricity grid. Reliability of the power distribution network is also being enhanced through the investment of $167.2 million to upgrade 284 grid stations. The World Bank also approved a financing package from the International Development Association (IDA) to help expand hydro-electricity generation in Pakistan through the development of the Dasu Hydropower Stage-I Project (DHP-I). The package consists of an IDA Credit of $588.4 million and an IDA Partial Credit Guarantee (PCG) of $460 million to help mobilise commercial financing for the project. DHP-I would have 2,160 megawatt (MW) hydropower plant on the main Indus River, which can be expanded to 4,320 MW in future with less additional cost.
The government kept itself bound with its timelines related to energy projects, however undue sit-in by two political parties in August 2014 and disastrous flood witnessed by Kashmir region in September 2014 became significant hindrance. Many planned engagements with multilateral and bilateral donors were delayed, most importantly the visit of President of China was rescheduled. Floods delayed Neelum- Jhelum hydropower which is now expected to be complete in 2016.
During the recent visit of President of China, Pakistan and China signed 51 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) relating to diverse aspects of bilateral relations, including the Pakistan China Economic Corridor and series of energy projects. Thus almost $15.5 billion worth of coal, wind, solar and hydro energy projects will come online by 2017 and when mature will add 10,400 megawatts of energy to Pakistan's national grid.
The energy issue is top priority of the government and intend to fulfil its commitments realising the fact that good governance and regulation will contribute to a sustainable, affordable and reliable energy system. The government is sincerely committed to add electricity generation of 10,400 megawatts to Pakistan's national grid by 201718 along with reduction in the cost of generation and transmission losses. Under the vision 2025, the government is committed in power generation to 45,000 MW with provision of uninterrupted, affordable and clean 'energy for all'. Thus the government is encouraging private investment to achieve power generation mix through development of indigenous energy resources particularly hydel, coal, shale gas, etc. to achieve zero load-shedding along with the reduction in average electricity rates
BISP is continuing to eradicate extreme poverty through provision of cash transfers. Present government has not only continued the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) but has also increased the cash grant to Rs 1200/ month and then to Rs 1500/month and also increased BISP budgetary allocation to Rs 97 billion in 2014-15 from Rs 75 billion in 2013-14. Total expenditure of BISP during the current fiscal year is projected to cross Rs 90 billion. The number of BISP beneficiaries is expected to increase from 4.6 million in 2013-14 to 5.0 million by the end of this financial year. BISP is expected to enroll 500,000 children in school during the current financial year under its Waseela-e-Taleem initiative. The government has increased the monthly stipend under the Waseela-e-Taleem initiative to Rs 250 per month per child from Rs 200.
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) also provides assistance in microcredit, water and infrastructure, drought mitigation, education, health and emergency response interventions. During the period of July 2014 to March 2015, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund has managed to disburse an amount of Rs 9.8 billion to its various on-going projects. Under the 18th constitutional Amendment, the subject of Zakat has been devolved to the Provinces/Federal Areas. A total amount of Rs 4778.18 million is distributed in bulk amongst the provinces and other administrative areas for the year 2014-15. Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) is also making efforts for eradication of poverty by providing assistance to destitute, widows, orphans, invalid, infirm and other needy persons through different initiatives. During July 2014 to March 2015, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) has managed to disburse an amount of Rs 2.28 billion to its core projects.
According to Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), the majority of the population in the country is exposed to the hazards of drinking unsafe and polluted water from both surface and ground water sources. To address this issue of national importance, federal government through PCRWR has implemented several national water quality monitoring and surveillance activities. Access to an adequate supply of water is also one of the absolute priorities of Vision 2025.
Top five goals for water security are:
-- Increase water storage capacity, applicable to the requirements of each province in line with defined strategic needs and international benchmarks: from currently 30 days to 45 days by 2018, and 90 days by 2025.
-- Invest in proven methods and technologies to minimise wastage (eg in the agriculture sector), promote conversation and gain efficiencies through rationalisation of pricing.
-- Enable more effective allocation with direct reference to national & provincial priorities and related social and economic considerations.
-- Establish institutional mechanisms eg a National Water Commission to effectively manage all resources of water (surface, subsurface ,rain) and their sectoral and regional allocations
-- Provision of access to a minimum baseline of suitable water to every person in Pakistan.
The recommendations that can be considered regarding solid waste management are:
-- Raising awareness about consequences caused by solid waste pollution.
-- Collective role of government sector, NGO's, Private sector for solid waste management.
-- Legislation should be done which would be effective and find ways to implement its effectively application of 3 R's (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) concept in solid waste management system.
-- House to house collection of solid waste should be organized.
-- Littering of solid waste should be prohibited in cities, towns and urban areas. Proper segregation would be vital for scientific disposal of waste.
-- Developing legal framework and national guidelines for solid waste management that includes waste management and basic recycling rules.
Sanitation is one of the basic necessities of human life as it saves lives, resources and let human being live with dignity. In order to build the momentum and accelerate the progress on sanitation and hygiene in the country, Pakistan Conference on Sanitation (PACOSAN) was held in February, 2015. Pakistan government is committed to save its children from death, living with disabilities or not achieving their potential physical and mental growth to compete with other nations in the world.
-- Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the future financial mechanism for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Ministry of Climate Change has started readiness activities. The Ministry is foreseeing to tap the GCF at an appropriate level.
-- Technology Needs Assessments (TNA) is a systematic approach for conducting technology needs assessments in technological means for both mitigation and adaptation. It also provides processes and methodologies for uncovering gaps in enabling frameworks and capacities for formulating a national action plan to overcome them as part of overall climate change strategies.
-- Project proposal of Pakistan's Second National Communication (SNC) on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission has been finalised and the same is under process with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for funding.
-- United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP-21) to be held in Paris in December 2015 is supposed to produce a global agreement to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is likely to bring a Protocol with binding commitments on developing countries such as cutting down or at least slowing down their GHG emission.
The LSM will also benefit from the backward and forward linkages of huge infrastructure projects under CPEC and increasing demand for housing triggering sharp demand for iron, cement and related construction industries. Besides, private sector investment is expected to rise with improved energy availability, improving security situation and economy's stabilised international standing. The PSDP funding on real sector particularly agriculture, industry will further supplement the growth. The government on this score has already initiated number of agriculture related initiatives to help this sector which is the backbone of our economy.
Risks to this slow-moving global recovery are significant and tilted to the downside. Financial market volatility could sharply raise developing countries, borrowing costs, a unwelcome development after several years of heavy capital market issuance by some developing countries. Intensifying geopolitical tensions, bouts of volatility in commodity markets, or financial stress in a major emerging market could lead to a reassessment of risk assets. If the Euro Area or Japan slips into a prolonged period of stagnation or deflation, global trade could weaken even further. Although it is a low probability event given China's substantial policy buffers, a sharper decline in growth could trigger a disorderly unwinding of financial vulnerabilities and would have considerable implications for the global economy.
Growth remained robust in low income countries at about 6 percent in 2014 on the back of rising public investment, strong capital inflows, good harvests, and improving security conditions in a number of conflict countries. It is expected to remain around 6 percent in 2015-17. Soft commodity prices, especially for oil exporters, as well as weak growth in the Euro Area, an important trading partner are expected to hold back growth in many low-income countries. However, strong government consumption and investment growth is expected to mitigate these headwinds.