Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for policy continuity, institutional stability, and renewed economic confidence, saying Pakistan’s economic reset must focus on long-term reforms that extend beyond political cycles.
Speaking as chief guest at the Pakistan Policy Dialogue: Correcting Course – Pakistan’s Economic Reset in Islamabad, Dar said economic correction was not about short-term adjustments but about strengthening the foundations of governance and public service delivery through consistent policies and institutional continuity.
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He said Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement was increasingly aligned with economic objectives, noting that diplomatic efforts were being directed toward supporting exports, trade, and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
Focus on reforms, diplomacy, and institutional continuity
The dialogue brought together senior policymakers, corporate leaders, and development experts to discuss reform priorities, growth-oriented policies, digitisation, and institutional strengthening at a critical juncture for Pakistan’s economy. The forum was organised by the Policy Research and Advisory Council (PRAC) in collaboration with the Corporate Pakistan Group and Nutshell Group, with the Ministry of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan as founding partners.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of productivity, planning, and export competitiveness, saying Pakistan must balance short-term stabilisation with long-term development goals. He noted that while progress had been made since independence, Pakistan continued to lag behind comparable countries in education, health, and political stability.
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb outlined reform priorities aimed at achieving sustainable growth, pointing to challenges such as population pressures, climate risks, and economic vulnerability. He also highlighted the need to regulate and support emerging sectors, including digital services and freelancing, through an enabling policy framework.
Dialogue highlights growth priorities and reform pathways
Climate Change Minister Senator Dr. Musadik Malik underscored the need for equitable access to resources, particularly for women and young professionals, while Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali said structural weaknesses such as informality and limited inclusion continued to constrain economic performance.
Former State Bank governor Dr. Ishrat Husain urged greater focus on human capital and services exports, noting that global growth trends were increasingly driven by technology and services rather than goods alone.
The dialogue concluded with discussions on digitisation, climate resilience, and macroeconomic competitiveness, with participants agreeing on the need for closer coordination between government, the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners to support Pakistan’s ongoing economic reset.
