Pakistan’s manufacturing industry, once considered a key driver of economic growth and employment, is undergoing one of its worst downturns in recent history. The sector has seen a steep 46 per cent fall in private investment over the past six years, raising fears of long-term stagnation among economists and industrial experts.According to The Express Tribune report cited by news agency ANI, private investment in manufacturing dropped from PKR 706 billion in FY2018–19 to just PKR 377 billion in FY2024–25, marking the weakest phase of industrial growth in more than a decade. Ali Imran Asif, Senior Executive Committee Member of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), warned that the current level of investment was “not enough to even replace depreciating machinery,” suggesting a deep erosion of Pakistan’s industrial foundation.“We are not dealing with a short-term dip; we are watching our industrial base disintegrate,” Asif said, as per The Express Tribune. He stressed that without structural reforms focused on productivity, innovation, and competitiveness, the country could face prolonged industrial paralysis.The combined contribution of the manufacturing and mining sectors to Pakistan’s GDP has remained stagnant at around 13.2 per cent over the past six years. Frequent policy changes, high energy costs, and volatile currency movements have severely affected export-oriented sectors such as textiles, leather, and engineering goods. Large-scale manufacturing output fell 1.5 per cent in FY25, reversing the 0.92 per cent growth recorded in FY24.In contrast, neighbouring economies like India and Bangladesh have maintained strong industrial growth supported by stable policies and export diversification. Economist Shahid Saleem noted that Pakistan’s slump is not merely the result of high interest rates but also reflects policy inconsistency and eroding investor confidence. Import restrictions and weak domestic demand have forced many factories to run below capacity, he added.Experts, as cited by ANI, warned that unless Pakistan swiftly formulates a credible industrial revival plan and ensures policy stability, the manufacturing sector’s decline will deepen further, undermining exports, employment and broader economic resilience.

An independent review into the rising number of young people not working or studying is being launched by the government.

Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn will lead the inquiry into “Neets” – the acronym for young people who are not in education, employment or training.

According to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, the persistently high number of 16-24 year olds falling out of education or work is a “crisis of opportunity” requiring urgent action.

It is not a new problem but the number of young people who are Neet – now one in eight – has been rising in recent years and is approaching one million.

A quarter cite long-term sickness or disability as a barrier and the number claiming health and disability benefits is rising too.

The government says Alan Milburn’s review will dig into the reasons behind the rise and examine ways of cutting the long-term costs of youth inactivity and getting young people off benefits and into work.

Its conclusions will be published next summer.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the broader benefits system unsustainable and unfair but so far selling welfare reform to Labour backbenchers has proved a political minefield for Number 10.

According to the Department of Work and Pensions, the number of young people claiming UC Health and Employment Support Allowance has risen by more than 50% over the past five years.

Some 80% of young people on the UC Health element currently cite mental health reasons or a neurodevelopmental condition.

Asked whether he thought over-diagnosis was fuelling a mental health crisis among young people, McFadden was quoted by the Sunday Times as saying: “I don’t want to play amateur doctor. I want to approach this with sensitivity.

“The question I’m asking is, given the higher reported number of these conditions among young people, what is the best policy response? I don’t believe there should be an automatic link between diagnosis and benefits.”

“If we get this right,” he added, “the prize is huge: transforming lives and life chances, with the pent-up potential of the next generation firing our economy and building a better future for all.

“We cannot afford to lose a generation of young people to a life on benefits, with no work prospects and not enough hope.”

Milburn said his review would be “uncompromising”, and expose any failings in employment support, education, skills, health and welfare.

“We cannot stand by and let a generation of young people be consigned to a life without employment or prospects,” he said. “It’s clear urgent action is needed.”