Trade Liberalization in Pakistan: An Alternative Perspective Volume 29, Issue 1

Abstract

This study narrates the history of trade liberalization in Pakistan from 1972 to 2021. It outlines the history of trade reforms, which is divided into three distinct periods: the partial trade liberalization period from 1972 to 1987, the trade liberalization period from 1988 to 2004, and the post-liberalization period from 2005 to 2021. Existing studies of trade liberalization often overlook the underlying explanations, which frequently fall within the realm of history and interests. This paper addresses that gap and discusses the significance of domestic and international political economy factors leading up to trade liberalization. In Pakistan, trade liberalization did not coincide with compensatory real devaluation of the currency, as the exchange rate policy prioritized price stabilization. Consequently, domestic policy rates remained high, resulting in an overvaluation of the currency, which significantly reduced the rate of capital accumulation. The consumption-driven trade liberalization contributed to the phenomenon of premature deindustrialization. As a result, the country experienced low economic growth.