When economic growth barely outpaces a rapidly expanding population of roughly 250 million, the margin for error vanishes entirely. Scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders converged at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi to confront this sobering reality during the sixth Annual International Conference, according to Business Recorder.
Organised by the IBA Center for Business & Economic Research (CBER) in partnership with the World Bank Group, Sindh Higher Education Commission, NOWPDP, Dawn Media, and Avari Towers, the two-day event focused on navigating beyond overlapping national hurdles. Business Recorder reported that the discussions addressed how the country can transition toward a sustainable economic future amid mounting pressures.
Opening the proceedings, IBA Executive Director Dr. S Akbar Zaidi described the nation's economic, climate, population, and political difficulties as deeply intertwined crises. Business Recorder noted his observation that economic growth has historically hovered only slightly above population growth, with demographic projections indicating the current population of about 250 million could reach 270 million by 2030. Dr. Zaidi specifically highlighted climate change and population growth as critical areas demanding far greater national attention.
Adding to these insights, Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash, Professor and Dean of SESS, acknowledged the nation's remarkable resilience through repeated hardships in his welcome address, as reported by Business Recorder. However, he cautioned that mere survival must not be confused with true progress, framing the central challenge not around simply enduring difficulties, but actively moving beyond them.
Background
The two-day summit, titled “Beyond Polycrisis: Pathways Towards a Sustainable Economic Future,” brought together diverse stakeholders including scholars, policymakers, industry leaders, and students, according to Business Recorder. The collaborative effort involved multiple institutional partners, such as the World Bank Group and the Sindh Higher Education Commission, to evaluate structural vulnerabilities ranging from governance to environmental shifts.
Why it matters
For ordinary citizens across Pakistan, these discussions touch directly upon the daily realities of employment, resource availability, and economic stability. As academic and institutional leaders evaluate the intersection of climate pressures and demographic expansion, the outcomes of such forums shape the long-term policy decisions that influence household livelihoods and national prosperity.