Pakistan’s growth is blocked by unchecked government spending and flawed trade rules, experts say. Despite efforts to cut energy problems and taxes, the country remains stuck with IMF support because it cannot control expenses. Salaries for civil, military, and judicial staff have risen far above inflation. New departments keep appearing, swelling the workforce to 1.2 million. Experts call for a hiring freeze and cutting government divisions by two-thirds. State-owned enterprises are losing over Rs6 trillion cumulatively, rose by one trillion last year alone. Most are inefficient and should be closed, not bailed out. Politically motivated projects waste funds, cause unfinished work, and add debt. Experts advise halting new projects, finishing high-return ones, and spending more on education, health, courts, and trade. Pakistan’s trade policies block exporters with tariffs, subsidies, and barriers that protect inefficient industries. This hurts exports and causes foreign exchange shortages. “Export-led growth requires simplified tariffs, competitive exchange rates, and automatic refunds,” the analysts say. Protection and price controls have failed to build strong companies, encouraging rent-seeking instead of competition. Experts want Pakistan to remove price controls and eliminate over 100 regulatory bodies that block business growth. They urge supporting firms that can scale and trade globally. Judicial reforms are vital to secure contracts and attract investment. The “perks system” wastes resources on lavish benefits to officials rather than performance. Experts conclude Pakistan’s stop-and-go economic cycles result from political discretion hiding as flexibility. Exiting IMF programs needs strict budget and monetary rules and allowing market prices to work. “It’s not the IMF causing problems but the auditor arriving after damage,” said former officials Nadeem ul Haque and Shahid Kardar. Real reform means shifting focus from slogans to tough actions in spending, governance, and openness.