Promoting Export-Oriented Economy Is Top Priority: Ahsan Iqbal
Mian Nadeem
Published September 20, 2026 | 10:42 PM
To achieve the $100 billion export target, the government, industry, and academia must adopt a joint strategy. The federal minister for planning, development, and special initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasizes the importance of strengthening the productive sector, increasing industrial capacity, and promoting exports.
Under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, efforts are underway to reach the export target of $100 billion by 2035. Iqbal highlights the necessity of equipping young people with globally competitive skills, singling out the auto industry as a key contributor to Pakistan's industrial growth.
He argues that Pakistan's economic future hinges on:
- Promoting productive and manufacturing industries
- Boosting exports
- Advancing research and development (R&D)
- Fostering innovation
- Developing globally competitive capabilities
Addressing an auto show at the Expo Centre, Lahore, Iqbal underscores the need for modern technology, R&D, innovation, and value addition within the auto industry. He believes effective collaboration between industry and academia can align R&D with industrial requirements.
The minister notes that Pakistan's auto industry, established over four decades ago, is now a significant driver of industrial development. He adds that the sector's performance demonstrates considerable potential for expanding industrial production and export capacity.
Iqbal emphasizes that the government’s economic policies focus on:
- Strengthening the productive sector
- Increasing industrial capacity
- Promoting exports
To reach the $100 billion export target, he calls for a unified effort from the government, industry, and academia. Iqbal highlights the negative impact of past import-oriented trends and property sector investments on the national economy, advocating instead for redirecting resources towards productive activities, industry, exports, and job creation.
He stresses the importance of raising productivity, quality, and innovation to global standards, stating that "merely increasing production is not enough."