Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has urged Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector to transform into a competitive and innovation-driven industry with a focus on boosting exports. Chairing a roundtable conference in the capital, Iqbal emphasized the need for the industry to evolve into a global pharmaceutical hub.

According to Radio Pakistan, the conference was attended by Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. Iqbal suggested that the industry undertake a one-month internal consultation and workshop involving all relevant stakeholders. The goal is to identify priorities, challenges, and future growth potential, creating a clear roadmap for development extending to 2030 and beyond.

Iqbal assured the industry’s representatives of the government’s full support. The roadmap discussed at the conference outlines a plan for the sector to increase exports from 457 million dollars in fiscal year 2025 to a target of two billion dollars, with further growth to three billion dollars through PharmEx within three years, and a projection of ten billion dollars within eight years.