(VOVworld) – Mamnoon Hussain has sworn in as Pakistan’s new President after winning July’s president elections. The 12^th president of Pakistan will face several challenges in a number of areas including economics and security.

President Hussain is now tasked with reviving the economy, handling Taliban rebels and settling the country’s energy crisis. Pakistan has constantly recorded low economic growth over the years. Its GDP increased 3.7% in 2012 and is expected to reduce to 3.5% in 2013 and 3.3% in 2014. This growth rate is under the required level to generate adequate jobs for the increasing labor force and reduce poverty. Pakistan is also facing a balance of payments crisis. Although the government has set a target to keep budget deficit at 4.7% of the GDP this financial year, analysts predict the number will be much higher. The International Monetary Fund has approved a loan package worth 6.7 billion USD to help Pakistan reform its economy. A Pakistani government official has admitted that foreign loan is the only option to prevent Pakistan from going bankrupt.

Pakistan is facing the worst energy crisis in its history. Power is cut 20 hours a day and gas shortages have created chaos, hampering economic growth.

The security is another major challenge awaiting President Hussain. Terrorist bombings and attacks by Taliban and Al Qaeda occur daily and are becoming more frequent. Pakistan has recently launched an offensive to crack down on terrorists and violence in the southern port city of Karachi. Pakistan has established a special committee comprising of senior security and intelligence officials with the aim of working out solutions to prevent violence and maintain peace in Karachi.

President Hussain will have to settle Pakistan’s complicated relations with neighboring countries and the US. Pakistan has been conflicting with India and Afghanistan over border issues while its security partnership with the US is quite fragile. All these relations need to be resolved with time and caution.