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Pakistan Finance Chief Sets US Trip as Construction, Textile Relief Nears

The visit signals a pivot to export-led growth after officials reported firmer reserves and recent debt repayments.

Overview

  • Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said he will travel to the United States next week to advance talks on safeguarding market access for Pakistani exporters.
  • The United States is Pakistan’s largest single-country buyer, taking about 18% of exports, with textiles making up roughly 82% of that flow.
  • Aurangzeb said the prime minister will soon announce a relief package for the construction sector, with measures for textiles expected within about 10–12 days and property tax cuts under consideration.
  • Officials said foreign-exchange reserves have been building as Pakistan repaid a $500 million Eurobond and plans to meet a $1.3 billion payment due in April while engagement with the IMF continues.
  • Aurangzeb urged private-sector-led job creation, pressed for repatriation of export earnings—especially in IT—and said policy rates could fall to single digits if inflation keeps easing, subject to the SBP’s MPC.