The number 4 on our list of countries with political and civil unrest in 2017, Pakistan, continues to one of the countries hardest hit by terrorism. The country has a large number of homegrown terrorist groups which periodically make devastating attacks on the country’s civilian and military infrastructure. Continued hostility with India has also drained the country’s coffers over the years, while Afghanistan is also a huge problem in the north. The country’s political leadership has been hobbled by corruption charges and remains subservient to its powerful military, which calls the shots. It also faces secessionist forces in provinces like Kashmir and Baluchistan.
The Global X MSCI Pakistan ETF (NYSEARCA:PAK) provides exposure to Pakistani stocks, however its liquidity remains low, with a market value of just $6.5 million. Though the returns have been spectacular, with a 41% return over the last year, the volatility of Pakistan’s politics makes it a highly speculative investment.
