ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stability and is now shifting toward sustainable, export-led growth.
In an interview with USA Today, Aurangzeb said policy continuity has restored the confidence of both local and international investors. As a result, Pakistan has recorded a primary budget surplus and a current account surplus for the first time in several years.
He said inflation has fallen sharply, dropping from 38 percent to single digits, while foreign exchange reserves have crossed $14.5 billion.
Aurangzeb said the government is shifting the economy away from a consumption-driven model to an export-oriented framework. He noted that IT exports have exceeded $4 billion and could double within five years.
He said reforms are underway in the tax system, energy sector, and state-owned enterprises. Privatization and tariff reforms, he added, will enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in global markets.
The finance minister said the World Bank has proposed an “East Asia Moment” for Pakistan, aimed at accelerating export-led growth.
He stressed that women’s education and workforce participation are essential for long-term economic development. He also described climate change as a major challenge for Pakistan and called for stronger global cooperation to address it.
Aurangzeb said agriculture, minerals, and the digital economy are priority sectors for investment. He highlighted the Tethyan Copper Belt as a key destination for global investors.
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He said Pakistan is open for trade and investment and is transitioning from an economy of crises to an economy of opportunity.
