ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said Pakistan’s economy is recovering, even as a second wave of the coronavirus has affected businesses.
Pakistan has so far recorded 432,327 infections and 8,653 deaths, with over 3,000 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.
“Pakistan’s economy is recovering, particularly in manufacturing and construction, supported by government emergency relief,” the ADB said in its Outlook 2020 Supplement, Paths Diverge in Recovery from the Pandemic.
After a peak of over 6,800 daily infections in June, the numbers in Pakistan fell to a low of 213 in August, and remained below 700 for most of the last three months.
The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out a complete lockdown and decided to continue the “smart lockdown” policy with strict implementation of safety guidelines.
The country’s last comprehensive lockdown was lifted in May.
Despite the persistent spread of COVID-19, most economies in Asia have continued to relax containment measures, having deemed strict lockdowns to be economically unsustainable.
“Containment remains relatively stringent in Central, South, and Southeast Asia, where outbreaks have continued in some economies and reemerged in others,” the ADB said. “Containment is less stringent in East Asia and the Pacific where outbreaks are under control or absent. Consequently, mobility and economic activity have improved in these subregions in recent months.”
Pakistan’s economy recovering, particularly in manufacturing and construction — ADB
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Pakistan’s economy recovering, particularly in manufacturing and construction — ADB
- Pakistan has so far recorded 432,327 infections and 8,653 deaths, with over 3,000 cases recorded in last 24 hours
- Despite persistent spread of COVID-19, most economies in Asia have continued to relax containment measures
Pakistan says defense pact with Saudi Arabia elevated brotherly ties to ‘new heights’
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia signed strategic defense pact last year pledging aggression against one will be treated as attack on both
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form vital pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s defense pact with Saudi Arabia elevated its brotherly ties with the Kingdom to “new heights,” stressing that close ties with Arab and Islamic nations form a key pillar of Islamabad’s foreign policy.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Sept. 17 last year, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, enhancing joint deterrence and formalizing decades of military and security cooperation.
Both nations agreed in October 2025 to launch an economic cooperation framework to strengthen trade and investment ties.
“In the Middle East, our landmark Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia has elevated our brotherly ties to new heights,” Dar said while speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 event in Islamabad.
The Pakistani deputy prime minister was speaking on the topic “Navigating International Relations Amidst Changing Geo-Politics.”
Dar noted that Pakistan has reinforced partnerships with other Middle Eastern nations such as the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Egypt and Bahrain. He said these partnerships have yielded “concrete agreements” in investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
“Our enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form a vital pillar of our foreign policy, and we will continue to expand our partnerships across Asia, Latin America, and Africa,” he said.
Dar pointed out that the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have undertaken visits to Pakistan in recent months, reflecting Central Asian nations’ desire to boost cooperation with Islamabad.
On South Asia, the Pakistani deputy PM said Pakistan has successfully transformed its fraternal ties with Bangladesh into “a substantive partnership.”
“Similarly, the trilateral mechanism involving China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh has been launched with a view to expanding and deepening regional cooperation and synergy,” the Pakistani minister said.
He said Islamabad has strengthened its “all-weather” partnership with China via the second phase of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement and “unwavering support” from both sides for each other’s core interests.
Dar said Pakistan had also reinvigorated its partnership with the US, advancing cooperation in trade, technology, investment, and regional stability.
“This calibrated approach has enhanced our ability to navigate complexity with skill and confidence, ensuring that our national interests are served without compromising our core foreign policy principles,” he said.
