Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says reforms, rising revenues, exports and remittances have put Pakistan on a path to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan is on a path to becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2035, provided the current reform momentum and economic discipline are maintained. Speaking at the launch of the government’s Monthly Development Update Report, he argued that improved macroeconomic indicators and structural reforms are gradually restoring investor confidence after years of political and economic instability.
Reforms and Digital Systems Driving Transparency
Ahsan Iqbal highlighted a series of reforms across tax administration, technology adoption and the wider promotion of digital systems as key drivers of change. According to him, digitalisation is helping to improve transparency, document the economy and curb tax evasion, which has long undermined Pakistan’s revenue base.
He also addressed perceptions of widespread corruption. While public surveys often suggest that around 65 percent of people believe bribery is rampant, he said recent data indicates the actual incidence is closer to 27 percent. The minister argued that closing the gap between perception and reality is important for attracting foreign investment and rebuilding trust in public institutions.
Improving Economic Indicators Boost Investor Confidence
The planning minister pointed to a string of improving indicators as evidence that the economy is slowly stabilising. He said average inflation has fallen from 6.5 percent to 5.2 percent over the past seven months, easing pressure on households and businesses. At the same time, tax revenues have reached Rs 7.2 trillion, reflecting a stronger effort to broaden the tax base and improve collection.
On the external side, exports have risen by 3.7 percent in January to reach $3.1 billion, while workers’ remittances grew by 10.5 percent in six months, climbing from $17.8 billion to $19.7 billion. These inflows are critical for easing pressure on the balance of payments and supporting the rupee. Iqbal said that international bodies such as the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, as well as global rating agencies, are now acknowledging Pakistan’s recent progress.
Development Spending and Jobs Under the PSDP
Ahsan Iqbal also underlined the role of public investment in supporting growth and employment. He noted that spending under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) has reached Rs 272.8 billion so far this fiscal year, up 27 percent from Rs 220 billion in the same period last year.
According to the minister, ongoing and new PSDP projects are expected to generate around 73,000 jobs, while the Planning Ministry has saved Rs 5.5 billion through tighter project scrutiny and better management. He argued that efficient development spending not only creates employment, but also supports productivity by improving infrastructure, connectivity and access to basic services.
Social Priorities: Health, Stunting and Ramazan Relief
Beyond macro indicators, the minister highlighted ongoing social challenges, particularly the high rate of child stunting. He pointed to the National Mother and Child Care Conference as a key initiative aimed at addressing the 40 percent stunting rate among Pakistan’s nearly 40 million children under the age of five, calling it a moral and economic imperative.
Iqbal said the government has expanded relief measures for the holy month of Ramazan to 1.7 million families, with additional steps to curb profiteering and price manipulation. He also noted that the industrial sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with growth of around six percent, which he believes will be essential for creating jobs and supporting a sustained move towards higher national income.
A Trillion-Dollar Vision Built on Stability and Confidence
Responding to critics who question why the government is talking about a trillion-dollar economy, Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan had gone through a period of economic depression due to political mismanagement, but was now on a recovery path. He insisted that positive thinking, consistent policies and long-term reforms are essential to convince global investors that Pakistan is serious about sustainable growth.
He argued that if current trends in inflation control, revenue collection, exports, remittances and industrial output are maintained and deepened, Pakistan can realistically aspire to reach a trillion-dollar economy by 2035. The minister concluded that the country’s future will depend on sticking with reforms, strengthening institutions and ensuring that economic gains translate into better living standards for ordinary citizens.
