Prime Minister Sharif promised a bold vision of rapid national development, stronger global partnerships, and transformative growth shaping Pakistan’s future
MM Report
DAVOS: At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif outlined an ambitious vision for his country’s economic growth, highlighting significant strides in agriculture, industry, mining, and technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT).
Speaking to a Pakistani news channel on the sidelines of the forum, Prime Minister Sharif projected a future of rapid development and increased international collaboration. He painted an optimistic picture of Pakistan’s economic recovery, noting that recent macroeconomic indicators were “reassuring.”
Sharif said the inflation rate, which had soared to 30 percent in previous years, had now declined to 5.5 percent, while the policy interest rate had dropped from a steep 22.5 percent to 10.5 percent. IT exports were showing “significant progress,” Sharif added, reflecting the government’s focus on modernizing the economy and attracting global investment.
The Prime Minister underscored the government’s commitment to export-led growth, citing structural reforms in the revenue collection system as a key achievement. According to the PM, the tax-to-GDP ratio had risen to 10.5 percent from just nine percent a few years ago, reflecting a strengthened fiscal framework.
Agri-exports, Shehbaz Sharif said, were also on the rise, underpinned by international agreements signed with American and Chinese companies, which he said would help modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector and expand trade opportunities. Looking ahead, Sharif said the government planned to accelerate development across a range of emerging sectors, including cryptocurrency, AI, and IT.
PM Shehbaz highlighted initiatives to facilitate IT exports through training, certification, and other forms of support, signaling a commitment to building a highly skilled workforce capable of competing in the global technology market. He also emphasized Pakistan’s growing economic and strategic ties with China and the United States, expressing hope for expanded collaboration in mining, counter-terrorism, IT, and AI.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s encouragement of private-sector participation, noting that the recent privatization of Pakistan International Airlines had been completed transparently. Sharif said the government was now preparing to outsource airports and privatize power distribution companies and transmission lines, aiming to boost efficiency and attract further investment.
