Imran Zakir
KARACHI: Former Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Miftah Ismail, has stressed the need to boost Pakistan’s exports to achieve sustainable economic growth and create employment opportunities.
Speaking as the guest of honour at a ceremony held to celebrate Affan Zeeshan’s receipt of the prestigious Labaytum Award, Miftah said export-led industrialization was essential for strengthening the country’s economy. The event was hosted by Danish Aman at his residence in Karachi.
He said efforts should focus on expanding exports, broadening the tax base, and reducing tax rates to promote economic activity. However, he cautioned that increasing exports would remain a major challenge unless the country’s energy shortages were addressed.
During an interaction with the media, Miftah observed that the budget deficit would continue to pose a challenge as long as fiscal imbalances created by the NFC Award remained unresolved.
Earlier, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, expressed concern over Pakistan’s widening trade gap. He said imports had risen to around $69 billion, while exports stood at only $30 billion, resulting in a substantial trade deficit.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the chief guest at the ceremony, congratulated Al Khair Hajj and Umrah Group for receiving the highest Saudi award in recognition of its outstanding Hajj services.
The award ceremony was attended by former FPCCI President Zubair Tufail, President of Indus Hospital Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive of HANDS Dr. Tanveer Sheikh, Mian Zahid Hussain, Danish Aman, prominent businessman Dr. Imran Jofa, and other business leaders.
