Export-led Growth Key to Economic Independence, Trillion-dollar Economy: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2026)
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said Pakistan’s exports must become the engine of economic growth and a key source of economic independence, stressing that the country needs extraordinary growth in exports to achieve the target of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.
Addressing a roundtable conference on “Unlocking Pakistan’s High-Value Agriculture Export Potential: Threats and Opportunities,” he stated that Pakistan would have to raise its exports beyond $100 billion by 2035 to sustain high economic growth and reduce dependence on external borrowing.
Iqbal described borrowing from international markets or repeatedly approaching the IMF and friendly countries for foreign exchange as a temporary arrangement, while the permanent solution lay in enhancing the country’s capacity to earn foreign exchange through exports.
He highlighted several key points:
- Pakistan’s young population could become a major demographic dividend if the economy achieves a growth rate of 6 to 8 percent.
- Political instability and frequent policy disruptions have hindered Pakistan’s development and export performance.
- Agriculture, the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, still relies heavily on imports despite its significant export potential.
- Shifting from commodity-based agriculture towards value-added production is essential, focusing on agro-food, horticulture, livestock, and processed food exports.
- Adopting international quality, compliance, and traceability standards for agricultural products, especially for halal meat exports to middle eastern markets.
- Investing in food processing and completing agricultural value chains to reduce post-harvest losses and increase export margins.
- Modernization of agriculture, smart agriculture, and adoption of new technologies are crucial to improve productivity and competitiveness, particularly in the face of climate change.
He emphasized the need for at least 10 years of continuity in economic policies to transform the economy.