ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called for a decisive shift from economic stabilisation to sustainable growth, job creation and export expansion, saying Pakistan had overcome major macroeconomic challenges through coordinated efforts by the government, institutions and financial sector.
Addressing a gong ceremony in Karachi virtually to mark the listing of the Naya Nazimabad Apartment REIT scheme, the prime minister said Pakistan’s recent economic progress had created a stronger foundation for investment and long-term development.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attends the Gong Ceremony for Naya Nazimabad Apartments REIT listing on Pakistan Stock Exchange, today. pic.twitter.com/4dEla0VxXS
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 1, 2026
PM highlights macroeconomic stability
Prime Minister Shehbaz said his recent meetings with international bankers and financial leaders in New York and London, including executives of Citibank, JPMorgan and Barclays and the IMF managing director, reflected growing international recognition of Pakistan’s economic reforms.
He said global financial institutions had appreciated Pakistan’s implementation of long-overdue structural reforms, which, according to him, had helped create a more attractive ecosystem for investment.
The premier credited the finance minister, cabinet members, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and federal secretaries for establishing a model of institutional teamwork that contributed to macroeconomic stability.
He said the restoration of stability was achieved through a cohesive partnership between the political leadership and military leadership.
Read Also: Pakistan Targets 4% Export-Led Growth After Economic Stabilisation
$3bn eurobond draws strong investor interest
Highlighting recent economic indicators, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan had successfully issued a $3 billion Eurobond against offers worth $6 billion.
He said State Bank of Pakistan foreign exchange reserves had risen to around $21.4 billion, while commercial banks held another $5.5 billion in reserves.
The prime minister also pointed to rising worker remittances and IT exports, while noting the continued performance of the Roshan Digital Account.
However, he stressed that stabilisation alone was not sufficient and Pakistan now needed to pursue economic expansion through technology, job creation, higher production and export growth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to focus on sustainable economic growth, job creation, and export promotion, as the country has successfully restored macroeconomic stability through a collaborative team effort.
The prime minister, in his virtual address at the… pic.twitter.com/0cL2y6ngi7
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 1, 2026
Government offers incentives to industry
Referring to the federal budget for 2026-27, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government had introduced hundreds of billions of rupees in tax relief and incentives for exporters, manufacturers and various industries, including the construction sector.
He said incentives for the construction industry were beginning to produce results.
The prime minister appreciated real estate and industrial initiatives undertaken by business leaders, including Arif Habib, in Lahore and Karachi under the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) structure.
He also called for further modernisation of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and capital markets by studying successful models in other regional markets.
PM questions performance of protected industries
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed concern over the performance of some industries that had received substantial subsidies and benefited from tariff protection but had failed to deliver on commitments relating to import substitution and competitiveness.
He called for an approach that placed the national interest above personal gains, stressing that Pakistan’s economic progress required modern machinery, higher productivity and hard work.
The prime minister also appreciated Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his support for national security and economic progress.
“چیئرمین نیب نے اربوں نہیں کھربوں روپے کی زمینیں نا صرف دریافت کی ہیں بلکہ قانون کے مطابق واپس لانے جا رہے ہیں۔ یہ زمین بدعنوانی اور جبر کے ذریعے جا چکی تھی، اس کو واپس لانے کی کاوشوں پر میں چیئرمین نیب اور ان کی ٹیم کا دل سے شکریہ ادا کرنا چاہتا ہوں۔
چیف آف ڈیفنس فورسز اینڈ چیف… pic.twitter.com/KPW1BsKAfL
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 1, 2026
He praised the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau for recovering public land worth billions of rupees and for plans to establish a land bank.
He reiterated his resolve to transform Pakistan into a powerful economy with a prominent position in the international community.
Finance minister highlights private-sector expansion
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said private-sector participation in the economy was gaining momentum, noting that Rs60 billion had been disbursed in housing loans.
He said Pakistan’s economy had contracted three years ago but investor sentiment had since improved significantly, with foreign companies, particularly from the United States, showing interest in entering the Pakistani market.
The finance minister said the government would continue working to provide the necessary ecosystem for private-sector growth.
He added that tax collection targets had been surpassed and the number of tax filers had increased to more than 5.7 million, compared with 3.9 million last year.
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Arif Habib highlights return to international capital markets
Business leader Arif Habib said Pakistan had successfully returned to international capital markets after four and a half years, with the strong response to its Eurobond reflecting international investors’ interest in the country.
He said Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating had improved from CCC+ to B over the past two years, while the local currency had remained stable for three consecutive years.
Habib said State Bank foreign exchange reserves had reached around $22 billion, with total liquid reserves touching $27 billion.
He added that the current account deficit remained under control and worker remittances continued to reach record levels, while inflows through the Roshan Digital Account had increased by 58 per cent.
Federal ministers Attaullah Tarar, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Dr Musadik Malik, among others, accompanied the prime minister. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the State Bank governor, Arif Habib and other leading corporate figures also attended the ceremony.
