Economic uncertainty stems following Imran Khan’s imprisonment

Uncertainty surrounds Pakistan’s business sector as local capital markets prepare to respond on Monday following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan, who was convicted to a three-year term in the Toshakhana case by a court on Saturday.

Arif Habib, a notable stockbroker and businessman, underlined the need of political stability for economic progress during a seminar hosted by Habib Public School Alumni (HPSAA). To accomplish this, he recommended a hybrid style of governance in which the establishment takes a proactive role rather than staying neutral and leaving choices to politicians.

Habib accepted the spectrum of potential outcomes and said they may be “neutral, negative, or positive” when asked about anticipated investor reactions in the financial markets owing to the shifting political picture on Monday.

Habib recalled the experience of an older coworker who, after 50 years in the stock market, had accumulated 50 experiences rather than just one that lasted 50 years.

Habib emphasized the lack of an ideal and true democracy in Pakistan, stressing the necessity for “serious and sincere leadership” to free the country from ongoing financial and economic difficulties. Given these facts, he said that rather than taking a passive attitude in favor of the domestic economy, the establishment should take a more active role, since the situation had worsened when everything was left up to the politicians.

Muhammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities, debunked the idea that Pakistan’s present economic situation is as serious as it is shown on social media. He contrasted the present status to the crisis in 1998–1998 and said it was considerably less dire now.