Shared my professional journey, mission of our company Interloop and my views about, businesses, amazing youth of our country & Pakistan in general - 4th edition of Leaders at LUMS. Visit the link for complete session: youtu.be/tOwN885CITk @Leadersatlums @LifeAtLUMS

With low HDI, the dream of sustainable growth will remain elusive In my view The real challenge is not population alone—it is human development. Pakistan’s HDI stands at just 0.544, ranking 168th out of 193 countries. Without a sustained national effort to improve this over the next decade, meaningful and durable economic growth will remain elusive. We must focus on increasing birth spacing, reducing fertility rates, tackling malnutrition and child stunting, improving healthcare outcomes, dramatically raising learning outcomes in public schools, and enhancing the earning potential of our youth through quality education and skills development. A nation’s strength is not measured by the number of people it has, but by the quality of opportunities it creates for them. Human development is not a social issue alone—it is the foundation of productivity, competitiveness, prosperity, and national progress. @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @BBhuttoZardari @MaryamNSharif @MuradAliShahPPP @SohailAfridiISF @betterpakistan @BilalAKayani @TararAttaullah

The US, Israel and Iran have all bumbled through this war and missed opportunities, but Pakistan deserves great credit for consistently working very hard as an intermediary for peace between capricious and obdurate enemies. Bravo, @CMShehbaz and COAS Munir.

This is not a growth budget, and that may be prudent. The projected 4% growth reflects a cautious approach after stabilisation, avoiding the pitfalls of consumption-led expansion. The real challenge now is delivering structural reforms and broadening the tax base so that sustainable, investment- and export-led growth can be achieved in the years ahead

On the whole, FY27 Budget deserves appreciation Given the economic constraints, govt and finance team have presented a largely positive budget under direction of the PM Relief for the salaried class, reduction of super tax, incentives for housing and construction, FBR reforms through digitisation, faceless assessments and improved audit systems are all welcome steps. Govt's cautious 4% growth target reflects fiscal prudence That said, exporters and manufacturing will remain under pressure from high energy costs, fuel levies, high taxation and competitiveness gaps. Expanding the tax base substantially this year is critical so that greater incentives for productive sectors and export-led growth can be provided in the next budget @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @Financegovpk @betterpakistan @jam_kamal @BilalAKayani @TararAttaullah @FBRSpokesperson @mincompk @kschehzad

I strongly urge @StateBank_Pak MPC to hold the policy rate this time With a US–Iran agreement appearing close, Brent prices are expected to soften further, while the recent reduction in petroleum prices by Pakistan will help ease inflation. This is the time to support growth, investment and exports—not tighten monetary conditions. A rate hike now would dilute the relief provided in the budget and send the wrong signal to business and industry. @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @Financegovpk @BilalAKayani @ThePBC_Official

𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐘27 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. I welcome some relief for the salaried class, rationalisation of Super Tax, reduction in tax collection on export proceeds from 2% to 1.25%, lower property transaction taxes and continued support for local manufacturing and automotive localisation. However, exporters and heavy manufacturing remain under pressure from high energy costs, fuel levies and competitiveness gaps. To unlock real growth, Pakistan must ensure the 1.25% tax on export proceeds operates as a Final Tax Regime, rationalise industrial energy tariffs and broaden the tax base so documented businesses can invest, export and grow.

The voice of @MusadaqZ is the sanest in Pakistan’s business sector & the PM @CMShehbaz & his economic team should seriously consider these ideas!

بجٹ میں ریلیف ملا ہے لیکن یہ ریلیف گروتھ کے لیے کافی نہیں۔ جب تک fiscal space نہیں ہوگی تب تک ایسے اقدامات نہیں اٹھائے جاسکتے جس سے صحیح گروتھ آئے، صنعتکار مصدق ذوالقرنین

3) I welcome the Prime Minister’s directive for complete elimination of Super Tax on exports, even on profits above Rs 500 mln, and the reduction in total tax deductions on export realisations from 2% to 1.25%. These are positive and much-needed steps. However, raising minimum tax from 1% to 1.25% will hurt low-margin exporters. More importantly, this relief alone is insufficient to match competing countries. Pakistan should move to either a 1.25% Final Tax Regime on exports or cap tax on export earnings at 12%, in line with Bangladesh, if we truly want export-led growth, investment and job creation @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @Financegovpk @betterpakistan @jam_kamal @BilalAKayani @FBRSpokesperson @mincompk @TextilePtea @PakTexCouncil

2) Welcome relief in the FY27 Budget through abolition of Super Tax for businesses with income up to Rs 500 million and its reduction from 10% to 8% for larger enterprises. Also welcome the elimination of CVT on foreign assets—a measure that should never have been introduced as it penalized documented wealth. Directionally, these are positive steps for investment, competitiveness and growth @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @Financegovpk @betterpakistan @BilalAKayani @FBRSpokesperson

1) I welcome the relief provided to the salaried class in the FY27 Budget. Having consistently advocated for reducing the burden on salaried taxpayers, I appreciate this directionally positive step. The reduction in tax rates, elimination of the 10% surcharge, and rationalization of tax slabs will provide meaningful relief. More relief is needed, but this is a step in the right direction. @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @Financegovpk @betterpakistan @BilalAKayani @FBRSpokesperson