Speaking during a meeting with leading industrialists and business leaders at the Prime Minister’s House, the premier said export-led growth remained the cornerstone of the government s economic policy. He added that efforts were also underway to bring the informal economy into the tax net and broaden the country s revenue base.
Addressing the business community, Prime Minister Shehbaz described entrepreneurs and industrialists as Pakistan’s ambassadors who represent the country globally. He thanked them for supporting the government during challenging economic conditions and emphasized that close cooperation between the public and private sectors was essential for sustainable economic growth.
The meeting was part of the government’s consultations with the business community ahead of the presentation of the 2026-27 federal budget. The prime minister stressed that input from businesses was crucial in shaping economic policies and ensuring effective reforms.
He said recent business-friendly policies had helped stabilize the economy and restore investor confidence. The government, he added, was encouraging industries that boost domestic production, increase exports, and create employment opportunities.
Highlighting key sectors, the prime minister said development in industry, agriculture, and information technology would play a significant role in strengthening the economy and generating jobs. He also pointed to ongoing technical and vocational training programmes designed to improve youth employability and support national development.
During the meeting, officials briefed participants on a range of initiatives aimed at promoting business activity and improving the investment climate. These included reforms in tax tribunals to ensure faster resolution of tax disputes, with appointments made through a transparent process.
The delegation was informed that a committee had been formed to work on establishing Special Commercial Courts. Infrastructure projects, including the upgradation of the M-10 Motorway and the Pipri Freight Corridor, were also discussed to improve connectivity between Karachi’s ports and inland areas.
Officials further noted that the construction of the M-13 Motorway linking Kharian and Rawalpindi would reduce travel time between Lahore and Islamabad, while upgrades to Pakistan Railways’ ML-1 and ML-2 lines would enhance freight transportation and commercial logistics.
The meeting was also told that the government was developing a National AI Transformation Plan and had introduced video analytics systems in the sugar and cement sectors to improve production monitoring and revenue collection.
Business leaders attending the meeting praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and expressed confidence in the government s economic management. They welcomed reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, promoting digital payments, and expanding the documented economy.
The delegation also appreciated measures such as reduced electricity tariffs for industry, the abolition of the Export Development Levy, and timely tax refund payments. Participants thanked the government for involving the business community in the budget-making process and presented recommendations to support economic growth.
The business leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working with the government to strengthen the economy, expand exports, and create employment opportunities.
Following the meeting, representatives of the business community highlighted the prime minister’s commitment to boosting exports and providing tax relief. Pakistan Business Council Chairperson Zeelaf Munir stressed the need to accelerate economic growth and increase the country s export volume. Meanwhile, Lucky Cement CEO Muhammad Ali Tabba said the government was focused on supporting exports and facilitating the business sector through targeted policy measures.
