Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Hasan Salahuddin
Securing market access
TEXTILES For more than a decade, Pakistan's textile exporters have competed in Europe and Britain with a valuable head start: duty-free access under preference schemes that those governments grant and can review. This year, that head start began to erode. Brussels concluded negotiations on a trade deal with India and rewrote the GSP Plus rules and London began letting Indian textiles in duty-free.
Pakistan’s carbon border test
Europe’s carbon border rules do not yet cover Pakistan’s textile exports, but the country’s largest export industry is already living in their shadow. Since 1 January 2026, the European Union (EU) has operated its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which requires importers to pay a carbon price on emissions embedded in certain goods entering the EU, so the carbon price of imports matches that of domestic production.
Why GSP+ cannot be taken for granted
Pakistan has been a beneficiary of the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, commonly known as GSP+, since 2014. Over the years, this preferential trade arrangement has become something we have gotten used to, or almost taken for granted. But as recent developments show, it is anything but. The European Commission released its latest assessment of Pakistan’s GSP+ compliance on 16 July this year, covering the period from 2023 to 2025.
IBI digital hub opens global market access for Pakistan’s SMEs
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan has moved a step closer to integrating its small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the global digital economy with the launch of the IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters, a platform designed to connect local businesses with international markets, supply chains and technology-driven trade opportunities.
Pakistan-China judicial cooperation opens path for AI-driven court reforms
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan and China have taken significant steps to strengthen judicial cooperation, with the Supreme Court of Pakistan and China’s Supreme People’s Court advancing a partnership focused on technology integration, capacity building and structured training. Experts believe the collaboration could help modernize Pakistan’s overstretched justice system and improve efficiency in court processes.
Alibaba-backed BNPL expansion opens new digital credit opportunities in Pakistan
By Hasan Salahuddin Alibaba Group’s recent entry into Pakistan’s financial services sector through KOKO Tech Pakistan is expected to strengthen digital credit access and create new opportunities for underserved consumers and businesses, as the country’s digital economy continues expanding rapidly.
Pakistan-China chemicals partnership expected to boost industrial competitiveness
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s chemicals and dyes sector is expected to gain fresh momentum following a new cooperation agreement with China that industry experts believe could strengthen domestic manufacturing, support technology transfer and improve export competitiveness.
Challenge Fashion expansion sparks optimism for Pakistan’s textile exports
By Hasan Salahuddin China’s Challenge Fashion Group’s decision to expand its operations in Pakistan with a large-scale apparel manufacturing facility is being viewed by industry experts as a major opportunity to strengthen the country’s textile exports, create jobs and attract further foreign investment into the industrial sector.
China’s community healthcare model offers lessons for Pakistan’s strained health system
By Hasan Salahuddin As Pakistan struggles with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases and mounting pressure on its overstretched healthcare system, health experts say China’s rapidly evolving community healthcare model offers a practical roadmap for reform.
China’s AI education push offers roadmap for Pakistan’s workforce transformation
By Hasan Salahuddin China’s landmark AI+ Education Action Plan, unveiled in April 2026, is drawing global attention for its broad effort to integrate artificial intelligence across all levels of learning — from primary schools and universities to vocational training and lifelong education — offering Pakistan important lessons as it begins implementing its own National AI Policy 2025.
China’s community healthcare model offers lessons for Pakistan’s strained health system
By Hasan Salahuddin As Pakistan struggles with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases and mounting pressure on its overstretched healthcare system, health experts say China’s rapidly evolving community healthcare model offers a practical roadmap for reform.
Challenge Fashion expansion sparks optimism for Pakistan’s textile exports
By Hasan Salahuddin China’s Challenge Fashion Group’s decision to expand its operations in Pakistan with a large-scale apparel manufacturing facility is being viewed by industry experts as a major opportunity to strengthen the country’s textile exports, create jobs and attract further foreign investment into the industrial sector.
Pakistan’s EO-3 satellite to strengthen climate monitoring, agriculture, urban planning
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s successful launch of the indigenous Electro-Optical Satellite EO-3 is viewed by experts as a major step toward strengthening the country’s disaster management, agricultural planning, and urban governance through real-time space-based data systems.
Rising exports to China create opportunity for Pakistan’s value-added agriculture sector
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s agricultural exports to China are showing renewed momentum in early 2026, with cotton yarn and sesame seeds emerging as key growth drivers, creating fresh opportunities for the country to expand into higher-value exports and strengthen bilateral trade ties.
EIB funding expected to strengthen Pakistan’s climate resilience efforts
By Hasan Salahuddin The European Investment Bank (EIB)’s renewed engagement with Pakistan is expected to strengthen the country’s long-term climate resilience agenda, with its recent €160 million financing package offering support for flood-resilient housing reconstruction in Sindh and clean-water infrastructure in Karachi.
Pakistan’s public debt burden eases as lower interest payments slow accumulation
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s public debt accumulation slowed significantly during the first half of FY26 as declining interest payments, fiscal consolidation and exchange-rate stability improved the country’s debt dynamics, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s Half Year Report 2025-26. The report said sustained fiscal consolidation and a sharp decline in mark-up payments substantially reduced the pace of public debt accumulation during H1-FY26.
Pak-China partnership on sheep, goat embryos seen boosting livestock productivity
By Hasan Salahuddin In a significant step for Pakistan-China agricultural cooperation, Beijing Asia and Pakistan’s VitaGene Farms have entered into a partnership to produce 2,000 high-quality sheep and goat embryos in the first phase, a development experts believe could accelerate genetic improvement and modernise Pakistan’s livestock breeding industry.
Pakistan eyes broader battery ecosystem after Chinese firm’s $15m Faisalabad investment
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s planned dry battery manufacturing plant with China’s Dongjin Group is being viewed by industry experts as a potential starting point for building a broader domestic battery ecosystem, following the recent signing of a $15 million agreement between the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade and the Chinese company.
Pakistan’s trade deficit widens 36pc as imports rise and exports weaken
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by nearly 36 percent during the first half of FY26 as rising imports outpaced declining exports despite improvements in global trade activity, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s Half Year Report 2025-26. The report said imports increased 12.4 percent during H1-FY26 while exports declined 5 percent, reflecting stronger domestic demand, increased industrial imports and weakness in key export sectors such as rice.
Pakistan’s agriculture sector grows 2.2pc despite floods as livestock offsets crop losses
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s agriculture sector expanded 2.2 percent during the first half of FY26 despite severe flood-related disruptions, as strong livestock growth and better-than-expected rice and sugarcane production helped offset losses in major crops, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s Half Year Report 2025-26. The report said agriculture growth improved from 1.4 percent in H1-FY25 to 2.2 percent during H1-FY26, boosting the broader recovery in economic activity.
Workers’ remittances rise to $19.7bn, helping Pakistan contain external pressures
By Hasan Salahuddin Strong inflows of workers’ remittances helped Pakistan contain external-sector pressures during the first half of FY26, with overseas Pakistanis sending $19.7 billion through formal channels, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s Half Year Report 2025-26. The central bank said remittances remained one of the strongest pillars supporting macroeconomic stability as widening trade deficits and weak exports continued to strain the country’s external account.
Fiscal deficit narrows to 5.4% of GDP in FY25
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s fiscal deficit narrowed to 5.4% of its GDP in FY25, reflecting improved fiscal discipline and consolidation efforts, according to the Financial Stability Review 2025 released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The report highlights that the reduction in the fiscal deficit from 6.8% in the previous year was supported by better revenue mobilization and controlled government expenditures.
Exchange rate stability improved in 2025 on stronger reserves
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s exchange rate remained broadly stable in 2025 as foreign exchange reserves strengthened and external sector pressures eased, according to the Financial Stability Review 2025 released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The report indicates that higher reserve levels, supported by strategic purchases from the interbank market, helped stabilize the rupee against the US dollar during the year.
Google partnership seen accelerating Pakistan’s AI-driven digital transformation
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s growing collaboration with Google on artificial intelligence is increasingly being viewed by experts as a strategic opportunity to accelerate digital transformation, strengthen the technology ecosystem, and develop an innovation-led digital economy. Backed by a young population and expanding digital connectivity, Pakistan is gradually positioning itself to move beyond service-based IT work toward the development of AI-driven products and solutions.
KSE-100 index rises 51% in 2025 on improved investor sentiment
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index surged 51.2% in 2025 to end at 174,054 points, supported by improved investor sentiment and better macroeconomic conditions, according to the Financial Stability Review 2025 released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The report indicates that the strong performance of the equity market was driven by a combination of declining inflation, easing financial conditions, and improved confidence in the country’s economic outlook.
Pakistan’s financial sector grew 15.1% in 2025, SBP review shows
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s financial sector recorded a robust expansion in 2025, with total assets increasing by 15.1%, reflecting improved macroeconomic stability, stronger policy coordination, and enhanced resilience across key financial institutions, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s Financial Stability Review 2025.
SBP introduces regulatory measures to boost digital banking and SME financing in 2025
By Hasan Salahuddin The State Bank of Pakistan introduced a range of regulatory measures in 2025 to promote digital banking and enhance financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to the Financial Stability Review 2025 released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The report indicates that the central bank focused on strengthening the regulatory framework to support innovation, improve access to finance, and enhance the efficiency of the financial system.
China’s climate monitoring model offers roadmap for Pakistan’s disaster preparedness
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s rising exposure to extreme weather events is intensifying the need for a more proactive, data-driven disaster management framework, with China’s integrated climate monitoring system offering a potential model to strengthen early warning capabilities and reduce economic losses. The urgency of this shift is underscored by the catastrophic floods of 2022, which affected around 33 million people and displaced more than 8 million.
China-Pakistan joint lab to boost energy storage, grid innovation under CPEC
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan and China have established a joint research laboratory to advance energy storage and grid integration technologies, a move that could help address Pakistan’s long-standing challenges in renewable energy deployment and system stability.
Pakistan needs disciplined project planning to match China’s execution model
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s growing backlog of development projects and rising implementation costs are highlighting the urgent need for a shift toward disciplined, long-term infrastructure planning, with China’s model offering key lessons in strategic alignment and execution efficiency.
China’s grid transformation offers lessons for Pakistan’s power sector reform
By Hasan Salahuddin China’s rapid transformation of its power grid has redefined how developing nations can scale renewable integration while enhancing system reliability. Pakistan, grappling with outdated infrastructure and chronic energy insecurity, stands to gain valuable insights from China’s strategic investments and policy frameworks in grid modernisation. The scale of China’s progress becomes clearer when viewed through the size of its long-term commitments.
Saudi inflow supports reserves as Pakistan manages external sector pressure
By Hasan Salahuddin Saudi Arabia’s $3 billion financial support has strengthened Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves at a time when the country is managing significant external repayment obligations and broader external sector pressures. The inflow, which has already been received, comes alongside ongoing rollover arrangements and provides immediate support to Pakistan’s external position amid volatility in global energy markets linked to tensions in the Middle East.
China’s rural water reforms highlight gaps in Pakistan’s service delivery model
By Hasan Salahuddin Pakistan’s deepening rural water crisis calls for a shift toward reliable, professionally managed, and financially sustainable service delivery models — an approach China has recently advanced through integrated rural water reforms.
Weak seed systems threaten Pakistan’s food security as China offers model
By Hasan Salahuddin As China strengthens its seed sector through sustained policy reforms, technological advancement, and regulatory protection, its experience offers a practical framework for Pakistan to improve agricultural productivity and ensure more stable food supplies for its population of over 250 million.
Pakistan eyes neurosurgery training boost through China partnership
By Hasan Salahuddin The inauguration of the China–Pakistan Joint Neurosurgery Training Centre in Wuhan marks an important step in expanding bilateral medical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, while addressing Pakistan’s shortage of specialized neurosurgical care.
China’s telecom success offers lessons for Pakistan’s digital growth
By Hasan Salahuddin China’s telecommunications sector is a global exemplar, with over 4.83 million 5G base stations deployed by the end of 2025 and gigabit optical networks covering every county, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This robust digital infrastructure supports one of the world’s largest internet economies and offers valuable lessons for countries like Pakistan seeking to accelerate digital transformation.
China’s 3.5tr yuan IoT plan offers roadmap for Pakistan’s digital expansion
By Hasan Salahuddin China’s plan to expand its core Internet of Things (IoT) industry to over 3.5 trillion yuan by 2028 provides a practical reference for Pakistan as it seeks to accelerate digital transformation and reduce reliance on imported technologies. According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the country’s 2026-2028 IoT action plan outlines a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond market expansion.
China’s smart blue economy model offers lessons for Pakistan
By Hasan Salahuddin As China expands smart aquaculture and advances broader marine modernisation, Pakistan has a timely opportunity to convert its coastal strengths into higher food production, value-added exports and more resilient livelihoods. Experts say that lasting gains will depend on aligning policy execution, ecological safeguards and institutional capacity.
China’s AI-driven healthcare offers policy lessons for Pakistan’s digital health push
By Hasan Salahuddin As Pakistan seeks to modernise healthcare delivery, China’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mainstream health services offers a practical policy reference for improving diagnosis, continuity of care, and efficiency in an already strained system. In healthcare, AI refers to digital tools that analyse medical data, support diagnosis, assist clinical decision-making, and improve patient monitoring and service delivery.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Hasan
Contact Hasan, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack