Aurangzeb outlines six economic priorities for Pakistan

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has outlined six economic priorities focused on maintaining macroeconomic stability, supporting private-sector growth and attracting investment.

 

Speaking at the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), Aurangzeb said the government aims to strengthen fiscal and external resilience while shifting the economy from stabilization towards sustainable, inclusive and productivity-driven growth.

 

The six priorities include maintaining macroeconomic stability, promoting sustainable growth, accelerating structural reforms, shifting from aid to trade and investment, expanding access to finance, and preparing Pakistan for the New Economy through digitalisation and emerging technologies.

 

Aurangzeb said future growth should be driven by productivity, investment, exports and employment rather than temporary liquidity support and consumption-led expansion. He added that the government would focus on creating a business-friendly policy and regulatory environment, while the private sector would lead investment and job creation.

 

On reforms, the minister highlighted progress in taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises, privatisation and public finance. He said the number of tax filers had crossed 5.7 million, compared with around 3.9 million a year earlier.

 

He also highlighted efforts to expand financing for SMEs, agriculture, housing and underserved segments, while stressing the need to deepen capital markets and channel domestic savings into productive investment.

 

Aurangzeb said Pakistan was also seeking to attract investment in sectors including mining, technology, agriculture, oil and gas and refinery upgrades, while strengthening economic ties through trade and investment rather than aid.

 

The minister also said Pakistan could reach a ‘B+’ sovereign credit rating by the first quarter of FY28, subject to continued macroeconomic stability and structural reforms.