Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, delivered the keynote address at the Pakistan Business Summit held on Thursday at the local hotel, Peshawar.
\nThe summit, organized under the patronage of the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, carried the theme \u201cShaping What\u2019s Next\u201d and brought together policymakers, business leaders, and corporate executives to deliberate on Pakistan\u2019s economy, innovation, and global competitiveness, said a release issued here.
\nThe one-day event was co-hosted by Nutshell Group and Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, with the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) as Strategic Partner.
\nIn his remarks, the Finance Minister commended the organizers for convening a high-profile forum in Peshawar and underlined the government\u2019s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the private sector to lead Pakistan\u2019s economic growth.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that the government\u2019s role is to ensure macroeconomic stability, introduce structural reforms, and provide the right ecosystem for business and investment.
\nReviewing recent economic progress, Senator Aurangzeb highlighted a sharp decline in financing costs following reductions in the policy rate, improved foreign exchange reserves covering close to three months of imports, and stability in the exchange rate.
\nHe noted that these developments have strengthened investor confidence and facilitated repatriation of dividends and profits.
\nThe Minister also reported a significant improvement in remittances, which reached USD 38 billion last year and are projected to grow to $ 41\u201343 billion in the current fiscal year.
\nHe further pointed out that Pakistan successfully repaid $ 500 million in Eurobond obligations in September without market disruption and is well-positioned to meet the upcoming $1.3 billion repayment in April 2026.
\nAddressing structural reforms, Senator Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government\u2019s resolve to implement comprehensive tax reforms, separating tax policy from tax administration to restore credibility and consistency for investors.
\nHe underlined ongoing reforms in state-owned enterprises, privatization efforts, and energy pricing as critical components of the economic reform agenda.
\nThe Finance Minister also discussed Pakistan\u2019s export-led growth strategy, tariff reforms aimed at reducing duties on raw materials and intermediate goods, and measures to attract efficient foreign direct investment (FDI).
\nHe cited recent engagements in Beijing, Riyadh, Washington, and New York as evidence of renewed investor confidence, including the signing of 24 joint venture agreements with Chinese companies.
\nHe further announced plans for Pakistan\u2019s inaugural Panda Bond issuance before the year\u2019s end, opening access to China\u2019s deep capital markets.
\nSenator Aurangzeb underscored that Pakistan\u2019s path to sustainable growth rests on greater competitiveness, private sector dynamism, and closer coordination between the federation and provinces.
\nHe also stressed the need to prioritize effective utilization of the Rs. 4.3 trillion national development budget for infrastructure, health, and education.
\nHighlighting long-term challenges, the Finance Minister identified climate change and population growth as existential issues for Pakistan.
\nConcluding his address, Senator Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to steering Pakistan towards sustainable economic recovery, global competitiveness, and resilience, while ensuring that reforms and growth translate into tangible benefits for the people of Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, delivered the keynote address at the Pakistan Business Summit held on Thursday at the local hotel, Peshawar. The summit, organized under the patronage of the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, carried the theme \u201cShaping What\u2019s Next\u201d and brought together policymakers, business leaders, and corporate executives to deliberate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":474665,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-506282","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n