Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has warned that protests, sit-ins, long marches and road closures could cause economic losses of around Rs120 billion per day.
The estimate comes as several political and other groups have announced protest activities in Pakistan. Aurangzeb said disruptions to business and economic activity could affect Pakistan’s ongoing transition from economic stabilisation toward growth.
Rs120 Billion Daily Economic Loss
According to the finance minister’s assessment, the potential daily impact could be spread across several major sectors:
- Services sector: Rs86 billion per day
- Industrial sector: Rs25 billion per day
- Agriculture sector: Rs9 billion per day
The services-sector estimate includes areas such as financial services, communications, transport, retail, wholesale and hospitality. Industrial losses could include disruptions to construction, raw materials, finished goods and supply chains.
Government Revenue Could Also Be Affected
Aurangzeb also estimated that disruption to economic activity could result in approximately Rs17 billion in government revenue losses per day.
He said road blockages, business closures and strikes could particularly affect daily-wage workers, small businesses and shopkeepers.
Impact on Pakistan’s Economy
The finance minister said Pakistan is moving from economic stabilisation toward growth and warned that prolonged disruptions could affect business activity, exports and investment.
He also pointed to existing challenges for businesses, including higher freight and insurance costs linked to international supply-chain disruptions.
Key Takeaway
The Rs120 billion daily loss estimate is a government assessment of the potential economic impact of protests, strikes, sit-ins and road closures. It is not a measured loss from a single completed day of protests. The estimate is intended to show the potential cost of widespread disruption to economic activity.
