Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of working groups composed of private sector experts and business leaders to discuss reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s economy, with a focus on tax reforms and export-led growth. The meeting was held in Islamabad and specifically addressed measures to enhance business competitiveness and facilitate investment.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government values businesses and investors, noting that a strong private sector is key to increasing tax revenues. He highlighted that long-term initiatives are being pursued to make business operations in Pakistan more efficient and competitive.
“Since the beginning, the government has been taking practical steps to promote economic growth based on increased exports,” the Prime Minister said. He thanked private sector experts for their comprehensive proposals and announced the formation of a committee, chaired by the Finance Minister, to translate these suggestions into actionable plans. The committee will present a roadmap of practical measures for implementation.
Business leaders attending the meeting expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s decision to remove the Export Development Surcharge, citing it as a significant step in supporting exporters.
The session included participation from Federal Ministers Owais Ahmed Ghani, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and other senior officials. Members of the working group, including Chairman Shehzad Salim, presented comparative analyses of tax rates across corporate and other sectors, and proposed reforms to enhance private sector growth, exports, and regional competitiveness.
