Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, emphasized the critical importance of export-led growth for Pakistan’s economic stability in a meeting with leading exporters and businessmen, including Mr. Shabbir Diwan, former Chairman of the Pakistan Business Council. The meeting was part of the government’s ongoing consultations with the business community.

Senator Aurangzeb stated that export-led growth is the only viable path for the country’s economic sustainability. He highlighted the need for increased productivity and outward-looking policies to break free from recurring economic cycles and avoid reliance on international financial assistance.

The Finance Minister called for the dismantling of the existing protectionist regime to promote market-based competitiveness, noting that the Prime Minister is actively involved in driving this shift. He also identified structural bottlenecks such as high financing costs, elevated energy tariffs, and an overly complex tax regime as barriers to competitiveness.

Senator Aurangzeb indicated that the upcoming federal budget would be crafted as a strategic document, aligning fiscal priorities with sustainable, export-driven growth. The meeting also reviewed the government’s Tariff Rationalisation Program, aimed at addressing business operation challenges.

Mr. Diwan expressed support for the government’s initiatives and shared private sector perspectives on improving policy consistency. Senator Aurangzeb assured that stakeholder inputs will be integral to shaping future reforms, emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration in developing a resilient economic framework.