Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif have pledged to take up at the highest government level the critical challenges being faced by exporters.
Speaking at an exporters' convention, hosted by the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) in Sialkot, both ministers assured the industry of their unwavering support.
Ahsan Iqbal acknowledged that Pakistan's exports, which currently stand at around $32 billion, were lagging behind regional competitors such as Bangladesh, India and Vietnam. "We need a unified, export-led growth strategy. Cities like Sialkot, with their entrepreneurial spirit and globally recognised products, must take the lead," he said.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif noted that abrupt policy changes and the increase in tax burden were harming productivity. "Sialkot's SMEs (small and medium enterprises) form the backbone of Pakistan's export economy. We will not allow them to collapse under bureaucratic pressure," he said.
He assured the exporters that refund claims and other tax-related issues would be addressed at the highest level to create a stable and supportive environment.
Speaking at the event, former PRGMEA central chairman Ijaz A Khokhar voiced concern over the recent amendments to the Export Facilitation Scheme, especially regarding temporary imports for re-export. He warned that reduced utilisation periods and new bank guarantees would disproportionately impact the SMEs, which already operate on tight margins. "Such policy shifts jeopardise not only our competitiveness but also the foundation of Pakistan's export engine," he said.
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