(January 02, 2026) Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum & All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Chairman National Business Group Pakistan, Chairman Policy Advisory Board FPCCI, and Former Provincial Minister Information Technology, has lauded the Ministry of Finance’s “Monthly Economic Update and Outlook” for December 2025 as a reflection of emerging stability.
Mian Zahid Hussain noted that the primary surplus reported by the Ministry of Finance demonstrates a disciplined approach to fiscal management that must be sustained throughout the new year.
He emphasized that while the macro-indicators are improving, the transition into 2026 brings a unique set of potential and challenges for Pakistan that require a proactive and cohesive national strategy.
Commenting on the latest figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and the State Bank of Pakistan, Mian Zahid Hussain pointed out that the steady decline in inflation during the final quarter of 2025 has made a case to cut the policy rate by at least 2% to provide much-needed relief to the industrial sector.
He observed that the narrowing of the current account deficit is a significant achievement, yet he cautioned that foreign exchange reserves must be bolstered through increased exports rather than a continued reliance on external borrowing and workers’ remittances.
He suggested that the government must capitalize on the potential of the year 2026 by focusing on high-growth sectors such as information technology and value-added textiles. He urged for the quick sale of loss-making state-owned enterprises, following the privatization of PIA, to reduce the fiscal burden on the national treasury, noting that the resources saved could be better utilized for infrastructure development and social safety nets.
Furthermore, Mian Zahid Hussain addressed the challenges for 2026, specifically highlighting the persistent issue of circular debt in the energy sector as a primary hurdle to industrial competitiveness.
He stated that reliable and affordable energy is the backbone of any economic recovery and called for comprehensive reforms in power distribution companies to reduce line losses. He also touched upon the salient points of Pakistan’s economic progress, noting that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is playing a pivotal role in attracting foreign direct investment from brotherly countries. He believes that by streamlining the “Ease of Doing Business” and ensuring policy consistency, Pakistan can achieve a higher GDP growth rate in the coming fiscal cycles.
In his concluding remarks, Mian Zahid Hussain reiterated that the business community remains committed to supporting the government’s economic agenda, provided that the tax net is broadened fairly without over-burdening existing taxpayers. He stressed that the statistics from international institutions and relevant government sources indicate a path toward recovery, but this path is contingent upon the continuation of structural reforms.
By addressing the challenges of 2026 with the same vigor seen in fiscal consolidation efforts during late 2025, he expressed confidence that Pakistan can transition from a state of stabilization to one of sustainable long-term growth.
