LAHORE: The Pak International Business Forum (PIBF) has announced the launch of a nationwide “district economy campaign”, a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering local governments, strengthening district economies and accelerating sustainable economic development across Pakistan.
PIBF Central Secretary General Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer said Pakistan’s economic revival depended on transforming every district into a vibrant, self-reliant and investment-friendly economic hub.
He said the campaign would cover all the districts of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
“The campaign is based on the principle that an empowered and financially autonomous local government system is the key to eliminating poverty and ensuring equitable development,” he remarked.
Explaining the objectives of the initiative, Tanveer said PIBF advocated quality education and healthcare, efficient municipal services, modern civic infrastructure and improved public amenities in every district.
The campaign also seeks to promote trade, investment, entrepreneurship and industrial growth to generate sustainable employment and strengthen local economies.
The forum would also advocate the establishment of industrial estates, industrial clusters and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to unlock the economic potential of every district and attract domestic and foreign investment, he added.
As part of its policy recommendations, the PIBF would suggest a defined share of resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award be transferred directly to district governments to strengthen local governance and enable districts to undertake development projects according to their own priorities.
He further proposed that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) should introduce an interest-free microfinance scheme for individuals intending to establish small businesses.
Highlighting the digital component of the campaign, Tanveer said the PIBF planned to launch a digital transformation support programme to equip youth, entrepreneurs and businesses with modern digital skills and technological capabilities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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