Loud Thinking

The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. Henry A. Kissinger

The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

Prime Minister’s Office

Islamabad

Subject: Formation of a National Committee to Address Socioeconomic Consequences of IMF Programs and Austerity Policies which are Resulting in Increase of Poverty in Pakistan

Respected Prime Minister,

I wish to bring to your kind attention international recent research highlighting the grave social implications of economic adjustment programs associated with International Monetary Fund (IMF) lending and austerity measures.

Peer-reviewed studies, such as Goulas & Zervoyianni (2016, Social Science & Medicine) have empirically established that participation in IMF lending programs is linked with a statistically significant rise in national suicide rates, particularly among working-age men. Complementary research, including Antonakakis & Collins (2015), finds that fiscal austerity measures, often implemented under structural adjustment frameworks, lead to sustained increases in suicide mortality across affected populations.

These findings underscore the urgent need to adopt an economic policy framework that safeguards both fiscal stability and public welfare. While the support of international financial institutions can be valuable, the conditionalities attached, particularly excessive taxation, subsidy withdrawal, and spending cuts, can intensify social distress and economic stagnation if not locally contextualized.

It is deeply concerning that, due to the stringent taxation and fiscal policies dictated by lending agencies, Pakistan’s poverty levels have been rising alarmingly rather than declining. According to the World Bank’s newly revised international poverty line, Pakistan’s poverty rate has increased from 39.8% to 44.7%, meaning that nearly half of the population now lives below this threshold which is a stark indicator of the urgent need for homegrown and humane economic reforms.

In light of this evidence, it is respectfully proposed that the Federal Government constitute a high-level Committee or Commission under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ikram ul Haq, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, a distinguished international taxation expert and economist. Dr. Ikram ul Haq has consistently emphasized the need to rationalize Pakistan’s taxation system, reduce unproductive and exorbitant tax rates, and broaden the revenue base through equitable, transparent, and growth-oriented reforms.

To ameliorate the back-breaking impact on the salaried class, which remains the biggest sufferer of some of the world’s highest tax rates on salary income, and to provide immediate and highly substantial relief to the unemployed and jobless population, such a reform initiative is both timely and imperative.

The proposed Committee may be tasked with:

1. Reviewing the socioeconomic effects of Pakistan’s participation in IMF programs;

2. Assessing the human and mental-health costs of prolonged austerity policies;

3. Formulating a comprehensive reform plan to revive economic activity, enhance tax compliance, and reduce dependency on external borrowing;

4. Recommending practicable policy actions to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and self-reliant economic growth directly and personally under the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Given Pakistan’s current challenges, such a proactive and humane approach could provide the country with the jump start needed to restore public confidence, stimulate enterprise, and move decisively toward the vision of a prosperous, sovereign, and debt-free Pakistan.

I therefore humbly request your kind attention and direction for the immediate constitution of the above-mentioned Committee/Commission, and that, upon due consideration and approval of its recommendations, their implementation be authorised under the framework of Economic Emergency Regulations to ensure timely and effective execution of the proposed reforms.

With highest regards and prayers for your continued success in the service of our nation,

Yours sincerely,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Lahore – Pakistan

+92 321 9402157

31 October, 2025   

nayyarahmad51@gmail.com The writer is a senior corporate leader and strategic analyst. His thought-provoking visionary insights have reshaped global discourse, capturing the attention of world leaders. His writings have not only resonated with heads of state and governments but have also influenced the foreign policies of the United States and other major powers.