Impacts of Pandemics on Economy - Focusing on the Measures and Employee Performance in Banking Industry of Pakistan during COVID-19

This study deals with the impacts of pandemics on economy with the focus lying on the banking sector of Pakistan. This work centers on the recent pandemic of Corona Virus that instigated in late 2019. COVID-19 is not the single pandemic observed by the nations. However, the span of its outbreak is larger than those occurred earlier. This occurrence has affected the health and life of people. Besides, it is also causing strokes to the economies. Pakistan is one of the developing nations those came across with the hit. Nevertheless, banks are the only business that is operating with almost its full capacity even though many other businesses are either closed or working partially and lockdown is being observed in the country. Responses from 112 bank employees working in Pakistan obtained regarding their stance during COVID-19 and resultant lockdown. The study explores that bank employees in Pakistan are not satisfied with the financial benefits that must have been provided to work in this situation. Moreover, a significant number of employees is also having trouble due to the non-availability of appropriate conveyance facility because public transport is not available under lockdown. This condition, if prevails further, may cause employees’ demotivation, reduced productivity and economic slowdown in the long run

A Review on the Economic Instability and Derivative Market of Pakistan

This study covers the different problems of derivative market in Pakistan. Economic instability is the main constraint of derivative market in Pakistan. Due to instable economic conditions and restricted environment, corporate sector has not reflected significant participation in derivative market of Pakistan. Lack of infrastructure, political instability, ineffective governance, inexperience and unaware market participants are the other problems of Pakistan derivative market. Hence, literature is reviewed and analyzed due to unavailability of appropriate data for this study. Findings of the study have suggested that derivatives are an effective risk mitigating tool on one hand whereas on the other side, highly speculative activities in derivative market may be harmful for the financial markets and economic growth. In Pakistan perspective, all the players of financial market have adopted adequate risk mitigating strategies to avoid any adverse market scenario. Speculative activities are highly restricted due to economic instability as Pakistan is not in a position to absorb any financial shocks or crisis. The main regulatory authorities of this particular market are State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). These regulators are keenly observing market and taking necessary actions to prevent any adverse conditions. However, in developing economies these complex instruments create new risks which are badly affecting the whole economy

Significance of Gender Equality in accomplishment of Sustainable Development Goals

This research paper analyzes the significance of Gender Equality with five other sustainable development goals. Availability of food is essential for health and access to quality education is must for quality production and prudent consumption. A healthy, educated and wise economy results in the reduction in poverty. Hence, five goals including Poverty, Food Security, Health, Education, Production and Consumption are selected considering their importance for being the basic needs to be achieved for sustainable development in the economy. While, several aspects related to sustainable development goals (SDGs) are found to be covered in the literature reviewed. Nevertheless, the need for further work out assessed to be required from the reviewed literature. Hence, this paper focuses on the women participation in order to attain other sustainable development goals. This study will be useful to extract areas and analyze gaps that if addressed will provide grounds for growth in the economy with specific reference to Pakistan. Key Words: Gender Equality, Sustainable Development Goals, Economic Growth, Women Empowerment.

Ineffective Awareness of Islamic Banking Products as A Root Cause of Reluctance for the Same by Corporate Customers: A Case Study of MCB – NIB Merger in Pakistan

This paper focuses on the lack of awareness as the major reason behind the reluctance of Corporate Customers towards Islamic Banking Products in Pakistan. Various reasons for avoiding the Islamic Banking products among customers are reflected in the literature reviewed. However, the need for further work analysis is required in the reviewed literature. Hence, the rationale for this study is to know the influence of unawareness about Islamic banking products among corporate customers and employees. This aspect was further explained through a case study. The case is based on the study of customers’ reluctance in being a part of Islamic Banking Branches. This is because M-90 branches of Ex-NIB decided to become part of MCB Islamic after merger. Nevertheless, most of the corporate customers in these branches denied to associate with MCB Islamic, but rather preferred to become a part of Corporate Conventional Banking branches of MCB Bank. Results are extracted on the basis of a detailed review of literature and reviews from the industry experts. This study will be useful to understand reasons for this unwillingness that will provide us ways to avert any shortcomings if required in the products and services being provided by the Islamic Banks

Impact of New 5 Year Automobile Policy (2016-21) on the Profitability of Major Players in the Automobile Industry of Pakistan

This research paper discusses the influence of new five year automobile policy announced by Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in March 2016 for the period from 2016 to 2021 comparing with the old auto policy announced by the Government of Pakistan. The crucial point of this paper is to find the critical aspects of new auto policy and their impact on the profitability of major players in automobile industry of Pakistan. Main objectives of this policy are to help increase the volume with improved quality, catch the attention of investors, creating an extensive competitive environment, minimizing costs, technological improvement, satisfy all stakeholders through a Balance between tariffs and growth, customer satisfaction and Eliminating Monopoly of Existing Car Manufacturers. The important rationale of this paper is to have a look on the prevailing situation of automobile industry and the potential of this industry after the implementation of new auto-policy for 2016-21. It is to analyse whether this policy may influence profitability of the firms those have created their monopoly in this sector of Pakistan. The results of the study reveal that the profitability of major players of the automobile industry those were creating monopolies is not expected to decline even after the new policy. It may because of the trust of people on the local makes or expected ease in maintenance than those of the imported ones. However, the circumstances may change based on the customers’ behavior that may cause the shift of their profit share to the New Entrants. Nevertheless, exploring the industrial alliance in this sector globally is of high importance for better quality, reasonable costs, fuel efficiency and striking designs. Various studies have been conducted to highlight the impacts of different policies announced by the governments for automobile industry worldwide and for the Pakistan as well. Consequently, this study will be useful to seek out the probable challenges to confront in the automobile industry and to provide support for the future policies related to automobile companies and interrelated businesses like leasing, insurance, tracking and auto finance