Afpak File: From Welfare State to Austerity: What's Next for Pakistan's Economy?

Pakistan's economy is heavily indebted and mired in a balance of payments crisis. In recent days Islamabad introduced an austerity budget, and a new IMF program will likely be finalized soon.

In the latest edition of The AfPak File, experts discuss the state of Pakistan's economy and the way forward; what to expect from the new budget and a potential IMF program; and what Pakistan's economic hardships and the policy response could mean politically for Prime Minister Imran Khan's government.

Joining the discussion are Nadeem ul Haque, a former IMF official and deputy chairman of Pakistan's Planning Commission; Huma Sattar, an economic analyst, and researcher with Business Recorder; and Michael Kugelman, Asia Program deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center.

Muhammad Tahir, media manager at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, serves as moderator.

This podcast originally appeared on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty