LAHORE:
As Pakistan enters a section marked by unprecedented defence export alternatives and an equal likelihood to reposition itself inside evolving world financial dynamics, enterprise leaders are calling for a elementary restructuring of the nation’s exterior financial relationships to attain sustainable, self-driven progress.
Former president of the South Asian Affiliation for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce and Business Iftikhar Ali Malik has urged the federal government and the personal sector to prioritise competitiveness, funding and innovation because the cornerstones of Pakistan’s financial revival. He stated the nation stands at a important juncture the place it might both proceed a cycle of disaster administration or break away in direction of real financial sovereignty. “For too lengthy, we now have been caught in a entice of exterior help that has weakened our structural foundations and discouraged strategic planning,” stated Malik. He added that the present world realignment, mixed with rising curiosity in rising markets and regional connectivity initiatives, presents Pakistan with a uncommon alternative to recalibrate its financial priorities and pursue progress by itself phrases.
The commerce veteran careworn that attracting long-term international direct funding ought to take priority over short-term capital inflows linked to stability of funds pressures. Such investments, he stated, would deliver not solely capital but additionally know-how switch, managerial experience and essential entry to world markets. Equally vital is rebuilding confidence amongst home entrepreneurs and diaspora traders, who can present the inspiration for sustained financial enlargement, he added.
One other outstanding businessman, who requested anonymity, pointed to Pakistan’s rising defence sector as a possible game-changer for the broader financial system. Following the Pakistan-India battle in Might 2025, Pakistan’s defence exports have surged to roughly $13 billion, although a majority of this quantity stays within the pipeline, opening new avenues for financial diversification.
“The defence export increase is not only about navy {hardware}; it represents a validation of Pakistani manufacturing capabilities and technical experience,” the businessman stated. “These export orders are creating, and can proceed to create, ripple results throughout the personal sector, serving to producers determine new worldwide markets and establishing Pakistan as a dependable provider. Past the rapid international trade advantages, that are substantial, that is constructing institutional capability and world credibility that may be leveraged throughout a number of industries.”
He added that the defence sector’s success demonstrates what Pakistani trade can obtain when it focuses on high quality, innovation and compliance with worldwide requirements, classes that needs to be utilized throughout different sectors of the financial system.
Malik, nevertheless, emphasised that redefining Pakistan’s exterior financial relations requires a extra balanced diplomatic method, the place commerce agreements and regional connectivity initiatives are pushed by nationwide competitiveness fairly than pressing financing wants. Diversifying export markets and decreasing overreliance on conventional companions would strengthen Pakistan’s negotiating place globally, he stated. Each enterprise leaders stated the longer term lies in leveraging innovation throughout sectors, together with digitalisation, fintech, agritech and renewable vitality. These areas, they famous, supply alternatives to bypass conventional improvement constraints and combine immediately into world worth chains whereas creating high quality employment for Pakistan’s younger inhabitants.
This transformation, they argued, calls for sustained dedication, clear governance and accountability. “This isn’t about fast fixes or beauty reforms; it requires real possession of the reform course of and a long-term imaginative and prescient that prioritises resilience and sustainability over short-term expediency. If we are able to keep this focus, Pakistan can emerge as a self-confident and productive financial system, built-in into the worldwide system on an equal footing,” Malik added.
