ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially launched the governmentโs Economic Governance Reforms on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards long-term economic stability and growth. The reforms come after two years of challenging decisions, during which macroeconomic stability was restored, inflation was reduced to 4.5%, and foreign exchange reserves rose to over $21 billion.
At the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Sharif detailed the economic difficulties inherited in early 2024, including 30% inflation and critically low reserves. He emphasised that the governmentโs focus on structural reforms, such as withdrawing unsustainable subsidies, tightening fiscal discipline, and implementing privatisation measures, was crucial in navigating the crisis. As a result, the country saw a positive shift in economic indicators, with the current account improving from a $3.3 billion deficit to a $1.9 billion surplus.
The reforms also led to an increase in the tax-to-GDP ratio, from 8% to over 10%, and to the addition of over 1 million new taxpayers. Tax collection grew by 26% in 2025, facilitated by the governmentโs push for digitisation.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb provided further insights, noting that GDP growth reached 3.1% in FY25 and 3.71% in the first quarter of FY26, despite external shocks. He also highlighted the reduction of public debt from 75% to 70% of GDP and early debt repayments that saved the country Rs 3.5 trillion in interest costs.
The governmentโs 142-reform agenda spans critical sectors, including taxation, energy, privatisation, and digital governance, with the aim of establishing a sustainable, private-sector-driven economy.
For more news, visit Chakor Ventures.
BBC-featured Content Specialist with a sharp eye for search intent and a proven ability to turn content into a growth engine. I leverage cutting-edge digital marketing tools to craft strategies that fuel organic traffic, amplify brand growth, and own the local SEO landscape, particularly across the competitive real estate market. I help brands dominate search rankings and convert visibility into measurable business success.
