Aurangzeb Warns Protests Could Cost Pakistan Rs120bn a Day

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has warned that planned protests, marches and sit-ins could inflict an estimated Rs120 billion in economic losses on Pakistan each day, as political groups prepare separate protest campaigns. Speaking in a recorded message on Sunday, he said prolonged disruption could undermine the country's transition from economic stabilisation toward stronger growth.

Aurangzeb said the estimate was based on consultations involving the government's economic planning apparatus and assessments of earlier episodes of disruption. He put potential daily losses to the services sector at around Rs86 billion and the industrial sector at approximately Rs25 billion, while also pointing to losses for agriculture and government revenue. The figures were presented as government estimates of the possible economic impact rather than losses that have already occurred.

The finance minister argued that transport interruptions, reduced commercial activity and supply-chain problems could affect businesses, workers and exporters. He also highlighted the risk to information technology exports if internet connectivity is disrupted during unrest, saying previous disruptions had sharply affected the sector. Pakistan has been trying to expand goods and services exports while maintaining the economic stability achieved after a period of severe fiscal and external pressures.

Aurangzeb said the economy was already facing external pressures from conflict in the Middle East, including higher freight and insurance costs and disruptions to international supply chains. He said adding domestic political disruption at the same time could create further pressure on trade and investment. The minister also cited improvements in foreign exchange reserves, remittances, the current account and manufacturing as indicators the government does not want placed at risk.

The warning comes as Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a march toward Islamabad over the petroleum development levy and fuel costs. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has separately announced a protest for September 27, with demands including the release of its jailed founder Imran Khan and calls related to constitutional and political issues. The two protest campaigns have different stated objectives, although both could increase political activity in and around the federal capital.

Aurangzeb urged political and public disputes to be addressed through negotiations and consensus, arguing that workers, small businesses and daily-wage earners would be among those most directly affected by extended shutdowns. His remarks frame the government's concern primarily around the economic consequences of disruption, while opposition groups continue to press their respective demands through political mobilisation.

The immediate focus will be on the scale and duration of the announced marches, the government's response and whether talks can reduce the likelihood of prolonged disruption. Any actual economic impact will depend on factors including transport interruptions, business closures, internet availability and the geographic reach of protests, making the Rs120 billion figure an official projection rather than a confirmed daily loss.