Reacting to the minister’s speech at the Pakistan Economic Growth Conference held on Saturday, Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Chairman of the National Business Group Pakistan, Chairman of the Policy Advisory Board of FPCCI, and former provincial minister for information technology, said the business community felt reassured by the acknowledgment that the state cannot provide jobs to the entire population and that the private sector must serve as the primary engine of employment.
He emphasized, however, that the promise to extend “all possible resources” to businesses must materialize in the form of reduced energy tariffs and single-digit interest rates. Without these steps, he warned, industrialization would remain a distant dream.
Mian Zahid Hussain particularly underscored the minister’s assurance regarding the Super Tax. He termed the review of the mechanism and the possibility of allowing installment payments a significant confidence-building measure. He urged the Federal Board of Revenue to issue a notification within 48 hours to protect compliant taxpayers from unnecessary harassment.
Highlighting the urgency of relief for exporters, he referred to the finance minister’s commitment to announce concrete measures for the textile sector within 10 to 12 days. While welcoming the timeline, he cautioned that any delay would prove damaging as regional competitors such as India continue to enjoy advantages including duty-free access to Western markets.
The business leader also appreciated the minister’s frank assessment of the IT sector, noting that exports currently stand at around $3–4 billion but could potentially reach $10 billion if the digital ecosystem is facilitated rather than overregulated. He welcomed the invitation extended to sectoral associations for further dialogue in Islamabad in the coming fortnight.
Supporting the government’s firm action against tax evasion, Mian Zahid Hussain cited the recent FIR against a sitting senator in the tobacco sector as evidence of the state’s authority. Nevertheless, he stressed that enforcement should target the vast informal economy and smugglers instead of placing additional burdens on salaried individuals and documented businesses.
He concluded by calling for the proposed Construction Relief Package to prioritize low-cost housing and industrial infrastructure rather than fueling real estate speculation. Such a focus, he said, would help activate dozens of allied industries connected to construction.
“The Finance Minister has spoken the language of the business community in Lahore,” he remarked. “Now the bureaucracy must move swiftly to turn this vision into reality.”
