ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, has emphasized the importance of skill-driven reforms over financial injections to ensure long-term economic stability. Speaking during a high-level meeting with the U.S. Business Council in Islamabad, he stated that Pakistan’s journey toward economic independence is not possible without consistent policy reforms.
Aurangzeb underscored that escaping reliance on international financial programs like the IMF requires sustainable and systemic changes. He pointed out that the government is actively working to establish an advisory panel aimed at ensuring continuity and reliability in economic policies.
Highlighting the government’s digital agenda, the finance minister shared that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is undergoing a digital transformation with the induction of IT experts. “Our goal is complete digitization of the economy, which will eliminate leakages and enhance transparency in the value chain,” he stated.
During the discussion, key concerns and recommendations for the upcoming federal budget were addressed. Aurangzeb reiterated the government’s commitment to equitable taxation across all sectors and emphasized the need for expanding the tax base to reduce the burden on compliant taxpayers.
He also briefed the council on Pakistan’s recent participation in the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington, highlighting steps taken to engage global financial institutions and foster confidence in the country’s fiscal management.
The U.S. Business Council appreciated the government’s consultative approach and proposed that budget discussions should continue throughout the year. Both sides agreed to deepen economic cooperation and build stronger commercial ties in the coming months.
