ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said that the government aims to launch a district-level export plan under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to significantly boost the country’s exports.
“Pakistan is setting its sights on becoming an export-driven economy, with a comprehensive plan to boost trade from every district of the country. We aim to develop, promote, and strengthen already established industries at the district level and transform them into export-oriented sectors under the Public-Private Partnership framework. I ask the chambers of commerce to prepare district-level export plans in consultation with local stakeholders. The government will provide full support and assistance in developing these plans,” the Minister said while addressing a news conference along with Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh.
Highlighting the importance of exports, he said, “to break free from the IMF’s grip and achieve sustainable development, Pakistan must focus on increasing exports. Our vision is an economy built on exports, not imports. To achieve this, every district in Pakistan will have a dedicated Export Development Plan.”
The Minister said that under the previous PTI government, Pakistan’s economy was pushed to the brink of collapse. “Just ten days before the change of government, Pakistan was on the verge of internal default. Had a few more weeks passed, the country could have faced an external default, as well,” he said.
He credited the current government with taking timely measures to stabilise the economy, saving it from the threat of default, and bringing it back on a path of sustainable growth. “Today, all major global financial institutions recognise Pakistan’s economic recovery, yet some elements within the country continue to criticize merely for political gain,” he added.
He emphasised that the nation now faces a “long march of development” rather than political turmoil, calling for unity in pursuing economic growth and rejecting divisive politics.
The announcement coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the “Udaan Pakistan” program between the government and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
Prof Iqbal and FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh signed the agreement, witnessed by business leaders including Islamabad Chamber President Sardar Tahir, FPCCI Vice President Tariq Jadoon, and Coordination Chairman Malik Sohail Hussain.
The MoU aims to align industry and government efforts to realize the vision of a $3 trillion economy by 2047, promote export-led growth, strengthen public-private partnerships, and implement key economic reforms.
Atif Ikram Sheikh described Udaan Pakistan as “a roadmap for economic development,” emphasising that sustainable growth, higher exports, and industrial revival are central to the country’s recovery. He called for concrete measures, including electricity at 8 cents per unit, tax reductions, and interest rates lowered to 7 percent, to accelerate economic progress.
“Just as we triumphed against an adversary six times our size in the battle for justice, we now have the opportunity to win the battle for economic growth,” Sheikh said, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their leadership.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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