F M. Shakil

F M. Shakil is a seasoned journalist based in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with a keen focus on the economic and financial challenges that beset Pakistan and its neighboring regions. His insightful reporting has brought to light the severe economic crisis in Pakistan, marked by a soaring foreign debt that has reached $59 billion and a precarious debt-to-GDP ratio of 74%. Through his work, Shakil has provided a critical analysis of the country's burgeoning domestic debt, which escalated to Rs 5.5 trillion by the end of 2010, and the significant rise in debt servicing costs that have ensued.

In his extensive coverage, Shakil has delved into the intricacies of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) $11.3 billion loan to Pakistan, which was accompanied by stringent economic reform conditions. He has explored the nation's trade deficit and the low tax-to-GDP ratio, attributing it to widespread tax evasion among the elite. His articles have also addressed the concerns of the business community regarding the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade agreement, particularly the fear of increased smuggling that the agreement could foster.

Shakil's journalism extends to the financial challenges in the war-torn region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he has reported on the reluctance of commercial banks to extend financing, and the subsequent repercussions on trade and industry. He has shed light on the declining trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Central Asian Republics, underscoring the security concerns and the lack of control over trade routes. His reporting not only highlights the economic difficulties but also emphasizes the complexities of regional economic development in the face of persistent security challenges.