Naqvi called for a ‘system reset’ in the hope of a ‘better future’
LAHORE – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has once again called for a massive “system reset”, urging the country to dramatically increase exports, revive domestic manufacturing and build a strong “Made in Pakistan” economy.
Addressing the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Naqvi said that Pakistan’s economic and administrative system is on the verge of major change and argued that strengthening industrial production is essential for long-term economic stability. His message to the business community was straightforward: Pakistan should produce more at home and sell more abroad.
Pointing to Iran as an example, Naqvi said the country has been able to develop industries despite years of international sanctions. He said his repeated visits to Iran had changed his perception of the impact of sanctions, claiming that the country maintained significant industrial activity in all sectors, including construction and automobiles.
He termed exports as the center of economic challenge and said that the country should find ways to increase foreign sales. According to the minister, increasing exports and domestic industrial capacity can provide a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Naqvi also revealed progress on a proposed “business passport” designed to facilitate international travel for genuine Pakistani entrepreneurs. The proposal, which has reportedly been under consideration for several months, is aimed at easing visa-related difficulties faced by businessmen and industrialists traveling abroad.
A separate passport for certified businessmen was earlier proposed for the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet. The proposed procedure would include stronger verification of business and tax information and applicants, allowing foreign missions to more easily identify legitimate business travelers.
For Pakistan’s business community, the proposal aims to remove some of the barriers that can complicate international business travel.
Former Caretaker Federal Minister and entrepreneur Gauhar Ijaz gave a similar review of Pakistan’s export performance.
Ijaz said that in 2010 Pakistan’s exports were about $21 billion and today it is about $30 billion. He questioned whether a mere $9 billion increase over 16 years would be enough to support an economy facing financial obligations.
Ijaz warned that Pakistan’s public education system could struggle to absorb an estimated 2 million to 2.5 million additional children, highlighting the scale of the capacity challenge facing public schools. The warning adds another dimension to the country’s wider structural problems, which are putting pressure not only on exports and public finances but also on essential services.
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