Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb today chaired a virtual meeting with presidents and senior office bearers of Chambers of Commerce and Business Entities from across the country to discuss the prevailing economic situation, upcoming budget priorities, and avenues for strengthening economic recovery and growth.
The meeting, which lasted nearly 90 minutes, was also attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior officials of the Finance Division, Revenue Division, and Tax Policy Office.
Opening the session, the Finance Minister welcomed the participants and appreciated their continued engagement with the government. He highlighted Pakistan’s growing prominence on the global stage amid evolving regional dynamics and underscored the importance of maintaining regular and structured dialogue with the business community. He noted that the interaction was particularly timely as he prepares for important engagements with international financial institutions and global counterparts, and emphasized the need to gather first-hand insights from key economic stakeholders.
The Minister explained that the purpose of the meeting extended beyond discussions on taxation and the upcoming budget, focusing equally on identifying practical and forward-looking ideas to leverage current opportunities for enhancing trade, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable economic growth. He noted that Pakistan had entered the recent challenging phase from a position of relative macroeconomic stability, supported by fiscal discipline and strengthened external buffers, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining economic resilience while ensuring inclusive and durable recovery.
Highlighting recent economic developments, the Minister pointed to improvements in fiscal management, fulfillment of external obligations, and targeted support measures for vulnerable segments. He emphasized that economic recovery is grounded in strengthening fundamental economic indicators and institutional discipline, achieved in partnership with the private sector. He further encouraged participants to share actionable proposals to capitalize on emerging opportunities, particularly in trade facilitation, logistics, and regional connectivity, including the growing potential of Pakistan as a transshipment and investment hub.
Following the Minister’s remarks, the floor was opened for discussion, with participants presenting a broad range of proposals and recommendations aimed at supporting economic activity and enhancing competitiveness. The discussion focused on improving the overall business environment, facilitating exports, strengthening productivity, and aligning policy frameworks with regional benchmarks. Participants emphasized the importance of reducing operational inefficiencies, enabling optimal utilization of infrastructure, and fostering investment across key sectors of the economy.
The participants also highlighted the need to improve liquidity flows, support export-oriented industries, and diversify markets to expand Pakistan’s global trade footprint. Suggestions underscored the importance of policy predictability, consultative engagement in the budget-making process, and targeted facilitation to promote investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and emerging sectors. The dialogue reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the formal economy, encouraging innovation and technology adoption, and unlocking long-term growth potential through coordinated efforts.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, in his remarks towards the conclusion of the meeting, appreciated the constructive input from the business community and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued engagement. He noted that many of the proposals were aligned with the government’s reform agenda and emphasized the importance of prioritizing measures that deliver maximum economic impact within available fiscal space, while ensuring practical and implementable solutions.
Senior officials from the Tax Policy Office and Federal Board of Revenue also briefed participants on the ongoing consultative process, assuring that proposals received from chambers were being carefully evaluated to formulate balanced and effective policy measures. They reiterated that continuous stakeholder engagement would remain central to shaping a responsive and growth-oriented budget.
Concluding the meeting, the Finance Minister thanked the participants for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to work closely with the business community to steer the economy towards stability, resilience, and sustainable growth. He emphasized that the current phase presents a critical opportunity to advance economic reforms and capitalize on emerging prospects, noting that sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential in achieving these objectives.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI; Mr. Zaki Ijaz, Vice President FPCCI; Mr. Javed Bilwani, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Rehan Hanif, President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Faheem Saigol, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Usman Shoukat, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Sohail Altaf, Group Leader Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Ahtisham Mazhar, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Mohammad Ayoub, President Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Junaid Altaf, President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Ali Humayun Butt, Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Ahmad Hassan, Gujrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Mr. Sardar Tahir, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who actively contributed to the discussion and shared their perspectives on strengthening Pakistan’s economic outlook.
