Karachi:
The devastating floods in Pakistan have left a trace of destruction throughout our economy, society and our environment. More than 1,700 lives were lost in 2022, with 33 million citizens, 2.1 million displaced and 10% of the country sank.
Georgia – the backbone of our exports – was trapped, with agricultural land, houses and infrastructure of up to $ 40 billion. Once again in 2025, Punjab’s Breadbasket is underwater: over 2,000 villages and thousands of farms sink, disrupting the production of wheat and cotton and endangering food safety. These repetitive tragedies emphasize the fragility of our economy in view of climate change and lack of infrastructure.
No dams, no railways, no growth
Pakistan’s complaint is valid – we contribute less than 0.5% of world CO2 emissions, but we bring the disproportionate cost of the climate. But the category of the external environment is not enough. Weak urban planning, illegal violations, lack of water tanks and ineffective early warning systems reinforced destruction. We cannot remain reactive. Prevention and durability must become national priorities.
Another equally paralytic challenge was the delay of the decade in funding Pakistan’s central rail from Karachi to Peshawar. In 2013, then the PML-N leadership promised a sphere train. Philodon, yes – but unrealistic. A modern 160 km/h rail network may lack the glamor of the train, but will turn the passenger and goods movement, reduce travel time and integrate our economy. Tragedy is not the lack of vision, but the absence of funding to turn the second best into reality.
Funding of the missing link
What is common between flood restoration and modernization of railways – funding. Both are big ticket projects that cost $ 4-10 billion for five to seven years, demanding more dollars than any IMF rescue can offer.
A IMF program, after all, is not about dollars from Washington. This is the international approval-bilateral, polymer, capital market and funding of friendly funding. However, we have a gearbox, we expect others to finance what is existentially important to us forever.
Your writer has consistently supported the crowdfunding infrastructure through the savings that are compatible with Shariah. Pakistanis at home and abroad must have the opportunity to invest immediately in the future of their nation. These projects are active-solid routes, stations, land, bridges-which can promise to create Islamic structures attractive to retail savers, high nets, pension funds and insurers. The Roshan Digital Account Platform (RDA) is customized for this mobilization.
Overseas Pakistanis to drop dollars
Since June 2025, a net $ 1.4 billion remains excellent in Naya Pakistan certificates after sorrows. Why stop there? Start a new Roshan Pakistan (RPA) assets or Pakistani (PRF)-with 10-year maturity, offering 8.25% dollars.
Add non -financial incentives: miles of airlines, retail discounts, resigned from passport fees or Nadra and recognition as an eligible securing for bank loans. Let every Pakistani save feel that their dollar not only wins but also builds Pakistan.
Do not be afraid of the risk of repayment. Already in gross $ 11 billion in rising via RDAS, almost two -thirds have been invested locally, reducing the outflow pressure. These funds are circulating in Pakistan, for the Pakistanis and reinvested in our economy. The biggest risk is the complacency – the rolling of bilateral loans and IMF priests in indefinite. We need to take on the ownership of our destiny, finance our own durability and demand recognition on the world scene not as borrowers, but as our own manufacturers tomorrow.
The writer is an independent financial analyst
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