The National Accounts Committee (NAC) has revised the GDP growth for FY25 upward to 3.04 percent from an earlier estimate of 2.68 percent. Interestingly, almost all independent economists and research houses, including BR Research, doubted the initial 2.68 percent figure, and now it has been revised even higher. The upward revision spans all quarters of the fiscal year and seems aimed at reaching the “magic” 3 percent mark.

Historically, according to PBS (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics) sources, both the PMLN government and, previously, the Musharraf government have been known for tweaking numbers to achieve desired growth targets. For example, in 2003–04, the then economic advisor pressured PBS to increase GDP growth by 2 percentage points to attract foreign funding and investment, and PBS complied.

Later, the PMLN government forced PBS to report FY13 growth (PPP’s last year) below 4 percent, despite higher actual estimates. In FY16, the finance minister reportedly did not allow the PBS team to leave the Q-Block (Finance Division office) until they produced 4 percent growth figures.

Similarly, during the PDM era (FY22), PMLN officials allegedly pressured PBS to report FY22........

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