Daily economic losses due to protests reach Rs190b: Finance Minister  

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Sunday disclosed that ongoing protests led by the opposition are inflicting substantial economic losses on Pakistan, amounting to Rs. 190 billion daily, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking during a briefing, he detailed the devastating impact of the unrest on multiple sectors of the economy.  

The Finance Ministry's latest report highlights a daily GDP loss of Rs. 144 billion attributed to the stagnation of key industries and disruptions in business activities.

"This figure excludes losses in the IT and telecom sectors, which are also significantly affected," the minister added.  

Exports, a critical revenue source, have also seen a daily decline of Rs.26 billion, further exacerbating the financial toll. Foreign investments are being severely impacted, with Rs. 3 billion in losses recorded daily due to reduced investor confidence.  

"The cumulative effect is staggering," Aurangzeb stated. "The daily losses to the federal government alone total Rs.190 billion, while the financial setbacks faced by provincial economies are even higher."  

The minister called for an end to the protests, emphasizing that restoring economic stability requires immediate action to resume normal business operations across the country.  

The Finance Minister urged stakeholders to prioritize dialogue over disruption, warning that prolonged instability could have long-term consequences for the nation’s economy.