Pakistan’s Ramadan days of 2025 hold up a mirror to the fact that while inflation has fallen to a record low, investment and productivity is still so low that it has not made a credible difference to poverty levels. Hundreds of people, including white collar workers, are lining up at Iftar to get free food. Traders are finding it difficult to find customers in the traditional shopping season before Eid. They say that the low purchasing power of buyers has made it difficult to sell goods. While banks no longer offer high interest rates, middle class consumers appear to be saving rather than spending. While improving law and order will be key to inviting investment, the private sector is appealing to the government to provide them with opportunities for ease of business