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This study aims to find the determinants of a successful lockdown policy by the government to save the nation from the pandemic COVID-19. The study is an attempt to develop a Lockdown Readiness Index and measures the capacity of the Pakistani nation to bear the lockdown situation. This Readiness Index finds that countrywide, only 11 per cent of households are fully ready to live under a complete lockdown; however, with the exclusion of telephone and internet facilities, the readiness of tolerance for the lockdown rises to 21 per cent. While taking into account the likelihood of a partial shutdown and including any four of the six important facilities, the percentage increases to 26 per cent. The study further develops an econometric model by taking various social and economic variables to determine the capacity to bear lockdown conditions. The estimation results suggest that a partial lockdown is relatively more feasible for Pakistan. The study discovered that households in urban areas, those headed by unemployed people, and households headed by women are more likely to withstand the lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to specify the changing pattern of comparative advantage of Pakistani exports at the sector and product levels. Export unit value is also used, which is an additional and important factor for this research work. Furthermore, the analysis would check the presence of immiserizing" export growth. The paper estimates Balassa's RCA Index and compares it with aggregate export value and growth in value and unit value growth in Pakistan over the period 2014-2018. Estimates are presented at the sectoral level as well as the HS six-digit product level. The study finds that Pakistan has been experiencing "immiserizing" export growth. Unit value growth is not associated with growth in export value or RCA growth. Even in sectors where RCAs are rising, the country is exporting products mainly with low or negative unit value growth. The findings suggested that Pakistan's trade strategy should focus on vertical export diversification - i.e., moving up the value chain in sectors and markets in which we already have significant presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]