Export-Led Growth is the Only Way Forward for Pakistan: Finance Minister

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb met today with a group of leading exporters and businessmen led by Shabbir Diwan, former Chairman of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), as part of the government’s ongoing consultative process with stakeholders from the business and industrial community.

Speaking during the meeting, the Finance Minister underscored that export-led growth is not just a priority—it is the only viable path forward for Pakistan’s economic stability and sustainability.

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“Every sector of the economy will have to contribute,” he said, stressing that increased productivity and outward-looking policies are essential if Pakistan wants to break free from the recurring boom-and-bust cycles and avoid returning for what would be a 25th IMF program.

He reiterated that the existing protectionist regime must be dismantled to enable market-based competitiveness. “The era of unnecessary protection must come to an end. The Prime Minister is personally chairing meetings to drive this shift,” he added.

The Minister further highlighted that resolving structural bottlenecks—such as high financing costs, elevated energy tariffs, and an overly complex tax regime—is essential for helping the local industry become competitive and lead the country to a productivity and export-led growth.

He said the government was aiming to prepare the upcoming federal budget as a strategic document—one that aligns fiscal priorities with the broader objective of sustainable, export-driven growth.

The discussion covered the government’s Tariff Rationalisation Program, aimed at removing anomalies and inconsistencies that hinder business operations. Mr. Diwan welcomed the government’s efforts and shared private sector perspectives on improving policy consistency and predictability.

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Senator AurangInfraZamin Pakistan and SECP Stress Need for Advancing Green Financing through Capital Marketszeb assured that all stakeholders’ inputs will be considered in shaping the next phase of reforms. He emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration to lay down a resilient, productive, and globally integrated economic framework.