Pakistan’s role in brokering a peace deal in the Iran war has led to widespread diplomatic acclaim that could bring Islamabad some economic benefits. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended talks between Iran and the U.S. in the Swiss town of Buergenstock.
Potential Economic Gains
Analysts say the country of 250 million people has an opportunity to convert that goodwill into some gains for an economy marked by decades of boom and bust. Pakistan is targeting economic growth of 4.0% and inflation of 8.2% for the coming fiscal year.
A growth-oriented economic agenda, coupled with a reputation as a force for peace and stability, places Pakistan in a uniquely favourable position to attract investment into its people, infrastructure, technology and future growth sectors, said Khurran Schehzad, adviser to Pakistan’s finance minister.
Many analysts are expecting some largesse from the U.S., although there have been no signs of any such windfalls yet. Alex Vatanka, senior fellow and director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said one gain for Pakistan was the huge potential to be a more integrated part of the broader Middle East.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
