The Centre for Law and Security (CLAS), in collaboration with The Millennium Universal College (TMUC), recently organised a roundtable conference titled “Pakistan’s Economic Outlook”.

The session was chaired by Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan, President, CLAS, and moderated by Mr. Rehman Azhar, Executive Director, CLAS.

The roundtable featured economic experts: Dr. Shujaat Farooq, Professor of Economics and Dean (Research), PIDE; Dr. Ali Salman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PRIME; Mr. Shahbaz Rana, Economic Correspondent, The Express Tribune; Mr. Tasadduq Gilani, international business leader and executive adviser; Ms. Syeda Maureen Zaidi, Head of Laws, TMUC Pakistan; and Ms. Maryam Abrar, a higher-education professional associated with TMUC Pakistan.

The discussion examined Pakistan’s economic prospects over the next five to ten years, the IMF-supported reform programme, Uraan Pakistan, regional and global value chains, and the economic implications of changing regional and international conditions.

Speakers addressed declining productivity, persistently low savings and investment, high energy costs, reduced industrial depth, regulatory uncertainty and fragmented policy implementation. They also highlighted the importance of productive enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, institutional coordination, human capital, entrepreneurship and digital skills.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Masood Khan balanced the panel’s economic reality check with positive developments in social mobility, higher education, digitisation and private-sector capacity. He emphasised professional preparedness, effective use of Pakistan’s ports and geographical position, and national confidence grounded in realism.