Overview
- At the SAFA conference in Lahore, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said transparency, accountability and strong financial governance are vital for growth and investor trust.
- Ahsan Iqbal set export goals of at least $100 billion by 2030 and $400 billion over the longer term, calling for value addition, branding and compliance with global standards.
- Iqbal criticized the politicization of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor opportunities and urged 10 to 15 years of steady reforms with policy continuity and a larger role for the private sector.
- Finance advisor Khurram Schehzad said the government is pushing digitization, a stronger tax system, financial transparency and investor-friendly rules, and he urged accountants to adopt AI and data tools.
- Officials contrasted Pakistan’s roughly $40 billion export base with Vietnam’s more than $480 billion, arguing that better governance and regional cooperation could open new markets for industries from Sialkot cutlery to Gujranwala fans and farm goods.