Senior business leaders, including Pattern Chief of the United Business Group United Business Group SM Tanveer and former caretaker federal minister Gohar Ejaz, held a press conference in Lahore on Monday to present “shadow budget” proposals aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s economy.
Addressing the event, Gohar Ejaz said Pakistan had demonstrated its strength in defence but now needed to prove its capability on the economic front. He said the proposals submitted by the group, if adopted by the government, could help achieve a budget surplus.
He said the recommendations were designed to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio and improve fiscal discipline. He expressed concern over the lack of progress in exports, stating that his long-term target was to raise Pakistan’s exports to 80 billion dollars by 2031.
Highlighting key economic challenges, he said the country’s 40 billion dollars trade deficit remained a major concern. He added that achieving a zero fiscal deficit and a budget surplus within five years was an ambitious but achievable goal through coordinated reforms.
Gohar Ejaz said the proposals would be formally submitted to government officials for consideration. He emphasized that if Pakistan aimed to become an economic power, the private sector would need to work in close coordination and present unified solutions.
He also praised the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal, saying their efforts had made Pakistanis proud.