ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s economy has suffered a substantial loss of $252billion because of the US “war against terrorism”. This amount is eighttimes higher than what was given as financial assistance by Washington.
This estimate has turned up in a book titled ‘Growth and Inequality—Agendafor Reforms’ authored by renowned economist Dr. Hafiz Pasha. The book,sponsored by German Institute Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), got releasedon Tuesday in the presence of cabinet ministers including Finance MinisterAsad Umar.
The cost revealed in the book is double the amount shared by the FinanceMinistry in the Economic Survey of Pakistan. A loss of $252 billionactually amounts to 93 percent of the total size of Pakistan’s economy.
“The estimated total cost of terrorism to the economy of Pakistan up to2017-18 is $251.8 billion”, states the book. It also noted that the war onterror incurred an aggregate indirect cost of $179.1 billion with thedirect cost amounting to $72.7 billion.——————————
On the other hand, the assistance provided by the US after Pakistan joinedthe war in Afghanistan stands at $33 billion. Even in this $33 billion,more than two-thirds was in lieu of security assistance, which was givenusually as reimbursement from the Coalition Support Fund.