Policy Recommendation

C-8 Addressing Pakistan’s Inflation Woes

The following recommendations aim to address inflation in Pakistan through a combination of monetary policy adjustments, structural reforms, institutional improvements, supply chain management, and economic diversification:

o   The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should focus on establishing a stable monetary policy. This requires balancing interest rates and money supply to effectively control inflation without hindering economic growth. The Bank should adopt an inflation targeting framework with clear price stability targets, and tailor monetary policy tools to meet these objectives.

o   Address structural challenges in critical sectors such as agriculture and energy. Strategies might include upgrading irrigation systems, encouraging the adoption of modern technology in agriculture, and resolving inefficiencies in the energy sector.

o   Actively work to reduce corruption and inefficiencies within public institutions.

o   Create a more business-friendly environment that promotes investment and drives economic growth.

o   Improve supply chain management to reduce disruptions and cost escalations. This includes investing in logistics infrastructure and adopting technology-driven supply chain solutions.

o   Encourage diversification in Pakistan’s economic activities to reduce dependency on a limited number of sectors. This diversification can help mitigate the impact of sector-specific shocks on the overall economy.