PM Shehbaz Calls for Sustainable Growth, Job Creation and Higher Exports

ISLAMABAD (Nazrana Times) Ali Imran Chattha 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need to shift Pakistan’s focus from economic stabilisation towards sustainable growth, job creation, production and export promotion.
Addressing the Gong Ceremony in Karachi virtually, held to celebrate the listing of the Naya Nazimabad Apartment REIT scheme, the prime minister credited a coordinated effort by the federal and provincial governments, financial institutions and other stakeholders with helping restore macroeconomic stability.
Recalling his recent meetings with international bankers and financial leaders in New York and London, including representatives of Citibank, JPMorgan and Barclays and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Shehbaz said international financial institutions had acknowledged Pakistan’s implementation of structural reforms.
He thanked the finance minister, cabinet members, the Federal Board of Revenue and federal secretaries for what he described as a coordinated model of teamwork that had helped improve economic stability.
Highlighting economic indicators, the prime minister said Pakistan had completed a $3 billion Eurobond issuance against offers worth $6 billion. He also said State Bank of Pakistan foreign exchange reserves had risen to around $21.4 billion, while commercial banks held around $5.5 billion in reserves.
Shehbaz said remittances and IT exports were increasing and that the Roshan Digital Account was also performing strongly.
However, he emphasised that the next phase should focus on growth driven by technology, employment, production and exports. He also referred to incentives and tax concessions included in the 2026–27 federal budget for exporters, manufacturers and various industries, including construction.
The prime minister also highlighted real estate and industrial initiatives under the REIT structure, and called for further modernisation of the stock exchange and capital markets by studying developments in other regional markets.

Expressing concern over the performance of some industries that had benefited from subsidies and tariff protection, he called for greater competitiveness, productivity and modernisation.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the ceremony that private-sector participation was gaining momentum, with Rs60 billion in housing loans disbursed. He said tax filers had increased to more than 5.7 million, compared with 3.9 million the previous year.
Business leader Arif Habib said international investors were closely monitoring Pakistan’s economy and had shown increased confidence. He noted that sovereign ratings had improved from CCC+ to B over the past two years and said foreign exchange reserves and worker remittances had also strengthened.
He further highlighted a 58% increase in inflows through the Roshan Digital Account, while saying that the current account deficit remained under control