KARACHI: The All Pakistan Exporters Associations Forum (APEAF) has clarified its earlier reaction to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks on the performance of export-oriented industries, saying it recognises the premier’s focus on export growth and believes that continued consultation between the government and industry is essential to strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in global markets.
The clarification came after the forum’s initial response to the Prime Minister’s address at the Pakistan Stock Exchange on October 1 was widely reported as a reaction to his remarks about the performance of export-oriented industries. The forum said the media coverage had created an impression that the entire export industry had failed to increase exports, which, it said, did not reflect the overall performance of Pakistan’s export sector.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Chief Coordinator of the All-Pakistan Exporters Associations Forum Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said the forum believed exports and industry were among the priorities of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Bilwani said the Prime Minister had consistently accorded importance to export-led industrial growth and had been holding regular meetings with stakeholders from exporting industries.
He said exporters appreciated the Prime Minister’s emphasis on increasing exports, improving quality and strengthening industrial competitiveness, adding that regular consultative meetings under his chairmanship were important for addressing industry-related issues. “Pakistan needs more exports, greater investment, increased value addition and improved competitiveness in international markets,” Bilwani said.
He pointed out that Pakistan’s overall export performance had shown significant growth over the years, with national exports rising from USD 20.79 billion in 2015-16 to USD 30.14 billion in 2025-26, an increase of 45 percent. He said exports had made a substantial contribution to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. He said the forum understood the Prime Minister’s remarks as referring to the non-performance of certain specific export-oriented industries, rather than the performance of the entire export sector.
He said continued engagement between the government and exporters could help bridge the gap between practical industry requirements and government policies. “Exporters seek partnership and practical cooperation with the government,” he said, adding that the government could facilitate a competitive business environment through appropriate policies and reforms on the Prime Minister’s directives, while the industry would continue contributing through increased productivity, quality, technology, value addition and access to international markets.
The forum also appreciated the government’s efforts to maintain direct engagement with the business community. Bilwani said regular visits by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) teams to Karachi and the establishment of a PRAL office in the city were important initiatives being taken under the Prime Minister’s direction to facilitate exporters and industry.
He said several issues continued to require the Prime Minister’s attention, including the cost of doing business, energy costs, taxation, refunds, export finance, logistics, customs and ease of doing business. Addressing these issues, he said, were necessary to enable Pakistani products to compete effectively in international markets.
The forum stressed that increasing Pakistan’s exports was a shared national responsibility of the government and the private sector. It said it recognised the importance of the government’s focus on exports and industrial development and would continue to provide recommendations and cooperation aimed at increasing exports and strengthening the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
“Exporters are ready to work with the government to increase exports, earn valuable foreign exchange, create employment and strengthen Pakistan’s economy,” Bilwani said that the All-Pakistan Exporters Associations Forum would continue to provide practical recommendations and support export-friendly policies.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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