PIAF Backs PM’s Reform Agenda, Calls for Continued Industrial Support

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has welcomed the federal government’s recently announced economic reform package, calling it a timely and positive step to stabilize the economy and restore industrial confidence. At the same time, PIAF urged authorities to introduce further structural reforms to ensure long-term, export-led growth.
Senior PIAF leaders said that the reduction in electricity tariffs for industries, lower wheeling charges, and the cut in the export refinance rate would provide immediate relief to exporters and manufacturers struggling with high operational costs.
PIAF Chairman Faheemur Rehman Saigol praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for prioritizing industry and exports at a critical juncture for the economy. He said the Rs 4.04 per unit reduction in industrial electricity tariffs and the lowering of the export refinance rate to 4.5% would ease liquidity pressures and help Pakistani products regain competitiveness internationally. He added that these measures reflect the government’s commitment to supporting productive sectors that generate employment, foreign exchange, and economic momentum. However, he emphasized that the relief package should be viewed as a starting point rather than the conclusion of reforms.
Saigol highlighted the prolonged challenges faced by Pakistan’s industrial sector, including inconsistent policies, high energy costs, and regulatory bottlenecks. He stressed that sustainable growth would require policy continuity, predictable energy pricing, and timely tax refunds. He also urged the government to expand incentives for value-added exports, noting that moving up the value chain is critical for boosting earnings and reducing external debt reliance.
PIAF Senior Vice Chairman Nasrullah Mughal commended the government’s engagement with the business community and its recognition of exporters as the backbone of the economy. He said the reduction in wheeling charges would help industries optimize energy usage and reduce production costs, particularly for large units capable of generating surplus power. Mughal added that while easing inflation and the decline in the policy rate have improved market sentiment, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) still face significant challenges, including limited access to affordable financing, rising input costs, and regulatory hurdles.
He recommended targeted support packages for SMEs, including simplified lending, capacity-building programs, and incentives for technology adoption, emphasizing that broad-based and inclusive growth cannot be achieved without fully integrating SMEs into the export ecosystem.
Vice Chairman Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry echoed these views, praising the government for averting default and stabilizing macroeconomic indicators. He described the focus on export-led growth and foreign investment in export-oriented projects as the right strategic direction, but stressed that stability must now be converted into sustained growth through deeper reforms in taxation, energy, and governance. Chaudhry also called for rationalizing energy tariffs across sectors and reducing the cost of doing business through streamlined regulations and better coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
PIAF leaders collectively expressed hope that the government would continue consulting the private sector while formulating economic policies. They reaffirmed their commitment to working with policymakers to boost exports, attract investment, and create jobs, noting that sustained economic revival depends on continuous reforms, institutional improvements, and strong public-private collaboration.