Identification of Informal Economic Sectors in Quetta City

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the informal economic sectors in Quetta City, which has not been done before. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with the relevant decision-maker officials of the Government of Balochistan and Pakistan. The researcher transcribed the interviews verbatim; thematic analysis was used to draw the results. Furthermore, the desk review method was used to justify the sector's identification for the informal economy. The literature on the Pakistan Standard Industrial Classification, Pakistan Statistical Bureau, Stats Rules, State laws, and State Ordinances were considered in desk review.   The study contributes to the existing knowledge about the informal sector classification; the study asks unique questions about the importance of the informal sector and government work, which cannot be asked quantitively. The study highlighted the informal sector classifications and identified the sectors containing informal business activities. The study justified the alternative aggregation for the informal economic sectors from the International Standard Industrial Classification, 2008. The qualitative data indicated many examples of informal activities in Balochistan province, which helps to identify the informal sectors of Balochistan and Quetta city. The research analyses each sector; the sector was eliminated and included with particular logic and reasons. The research identified 11 sectors suitable for informal economic activities in Quetta City. The study highlighted the illegal economic activities carried out in the city, which the authorities must monitor.