PM urges exporters to deliver, finmin presents reform agenda at PSX

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pressed exporters to deliver results in return for past government support, according to Business Recorder. Speaking virtually at a gong ceremony hosted by Arif Habib Corporation at the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Thursday, he said some export-oriented industries had received incentives for decades without producing the results expected. He declined to name them, but asked them to correct course as the government pursues export-led growth after stabilising the economy.

In a separate address at the PSX Trading Hall, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reviewed reform measures that were agreed with the IMF under its Extended Fund Facility. He said the government wants to shift borrowing from banks toward non-banks and retail investors, and that a Capital Market Development Council is examining VCS, Sukuks and REITs. Recommendations are due before year end, and the SECP is preparing a legislative agenda for Parliament.

Aurangzeb projected growth of 4% in fiscal year 2026-27, compared with 3.7% in FY26, and said the number of tax filers had crossed 5.7 million. He also said banks had approved about Rs340 billion in additional Prime Minister's Apna Ghar Programme financing awaiting disbursement, and that a consortium including Arif Habib and Tabba represented close to $1.2 billion in collective investment in the PIA transaction.