Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has stated that Pakistan’s real economy may be worth nearly $1 trillion, almost double the officially reported size of $411 billion.
Speaking at a business gathering in Karachi, he explained that a large portion of the country’s economy nearly half operates outside the documented system, making it difficult to reflect the true scale of economic activity.
Aurangzeb noted that only a few points remain to be finalized in discussions with IMF and said he was hopeful of reaching a new agreement soon. He emphasized that the government’s economic strategy is focused on achieving stability through reforms and ensuring long-term growth.
The minister highlighted that ongoing efforts are being made to expand the tax base, improve documentation, and promote digital transformation across financial systems.
These steps, he said, are crucial for improving transparency, boosting revenue collection, and reducing reliance on foreign loans.
Aurangzeb also underlined the importance of export-led growth and expressed optimism about increasing trade with key partners, including Saudi Arabia and other regional economies.
He mentioned that initiatives to attract investment, especially in manufacturing, energy, and technology, are already showing promising results.
He assured the business community that the government aims to create a more predictable and investor-friendly environment through better governance and policy consistency.
The finance minister concluded by saying that Pakistan has immense potential to become a trillion-dollar economy if documentation improves and reforms continue, adding that the focus now is on transforming this potential into sustainable growth.
