Stronger export-oriented economy key to achieving economic strength: Ahsan

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said in Islamabad on Monday that continued reforms, political stability, productive investment and a stronger export base are essential to economic strength, according to Business Recorder. While unveiling the monthly development report for September 2026, he added that his ministry has asked the Prime Minister to include it in the team holding IMF talks alongside the Finance Ministry. He described the planning ministry as a key stakeholder on growth, inflation and poverty.

Iqbal expected falling oil rates to ease inflationary pressure, linking the recent rise in prices to higher global crude costs that many countries are facing. CPI inflation averaged 10.2 percent over July and August 2026, compared with 3.6 percent a year earlier, and the August monthly rate reached 11.1 percent. Large-Scale Manufacturing grew 3.0 percent in July FY2026-27 and rose 9.5 percent compared with June 2026, with automobiles up 57.01 percent.

Goods exports totalled USD 5.4 billion in July-August FY2026-27, while goods and services exports rose 9.2 percent to USD 7.3 billion. The current account deficit narrowed to USD543 million from USD853 million a year earlier, and remittances reached USD7.3 billion over the first two months. Net foreign direct investment totalled USD494 million, 24 percent above last year, and Pakistan also issued a USD3 billion international bond, a record, which drew demand near USD6 billion.