Pakistan’s senior policymakers, leading economists, corporate executives, and banking sector representatives have called for consistency in policies and long-term stability to enable a comprehensive economic overhaul, during the Pakistan Policy Dialogue 2026 held in Karachi. The dialogue, titled “Correcting Course: Pakistan’s Economic Reset,” emphasized realism, reform discipline, and constructive collaboration as the foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The event, hosted at a critical juncture for Pakistan’s economy, brought together members of the federal cabinet, prominent business leaders, and development experts to deliberate on pragmatic reform pathways and growth-oriented policy choices. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar attended the dialogue as the chief guest, underscoring the government’s focus on economic recovery and institutional strengthening.
The Pakistan Policy Dialogue 2026 was jointly organized by the Policy Research and Advisory Council in collaboration with the Corporate Pakistan Group, with the Nutshell Group serving as strategic partner. The Ministry of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan participated as founding partners, positioning the dialogue as a national platform for evidence-based policy discussion and consensus-building across public and private sectors.
Speaking at the event, Ishaq Dar commended the organizers for convening a timely discussion on Pakistan’s economic direction. He stated that resetting and correcting the economic course required strengthening the foundations of the economy through responsible governance, consistent policies, and institutions capable of functioning beyond political cycles. He emphasized that technology-enabled governance was essential to reform public service delivery and ensure that policy intent translated into measurable outcomes. Dar also highlighted that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts were increasingly aligned with economic objectives, aimed at boosting exports and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships based on shared economic interests.
The dialogue was described by participants as a milestone in reviewing challenges and achievements under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside institutional efforts to stabilize and reform the economy. Senior government officials and thought leaders highlighted the need to convert recent macroeconomic stabilization into sustained growth, higher productivity, and broader inclusion.
Among the prominent speakers were Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Climate Change Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, former State Bank Governor Dr. Ishrat Husain, PRAC Chairman Muhammad Younus Dagha, and Corporate Pakistan Group Chairman Muhammad Azfar Ahsan.
In the inaugural session titled “Resetting Pakistan’s Economic Direction,” Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of planning, productivity, and export competitiveness in driving economic recovery. He noted that while Pakistan had made progress since independence, it continued to lag behind global peers on key development indicators such as education, health, literacy, and political stability. He stressed the need for a future-oriented development strategy that balanced short-term stabilization with long-term growth objectives.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb outlined the government’s reform priorities, highlighting macroeconomic stability as a prerequisite for sustainable growth. He pointed to population growth and climate-related risks, including floods, as major challenges affecting economic performance. He also acknowledged the rise of emerging sectors such as crypto, blockchain, and freelancing, driven largely by youth, and stressed the need for formalization, regulation, and an enabling ecosystem.
Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik focused on equitable resource distribution, particularly for women and young graduates, arguing that democratizing access to capital was essential for meaningful change. Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali highlighted structural weaknesses, including stretched public resources, informality, idle capital, and lack of inclusion, reinforcing the case for privatization and private sector participation.
Corporate leaders echoed the need for swift implementation of reforms. Muhammad Azfar Ahsan stressed that a meaningful economic reset required collaboration between the state and private sector, guided by evidence-based policymaking and a long-term vision. He noted that Pakistan’s growth trajectory could only be corrected through structural reforms, investment in human capital, and governance systems capable of delivering measurable results.
The dialogue concluded with a shared view that policy consistency, institutional continuity, and coordinated reforms were critical to placing Pakistan firmly on a path of recovery, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
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