- Lasting stability comes from productive investment, export-led growth, modern agriculture, skills and governance
Interview with Ms. Tara Uzra Dawood — the founder and president of LADIESFUND
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Tara Uzra Dawood: I am leading initiatives at 786, Dawood Global Foundation, and LADIESFUND Energy, where we focus on women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and social impact across Pakistan. Through these platforms, I work to create opportunities that combine innovation, education, and community development, believing that lasting change comes from inclusive growth and strategic collaboration. Our projects — from supporting women-led enterprises to promoting clean energy solutions — reflect a commitment to building a more equitable and resilient society.
PAGE: Remittances play a vital role in easing financial pressures on the economy and in supporting household income. What has the incumbent government done to further remittances?
Tara Uzra Dawood: The government has introduced multiple measures to facilitate remittances, including reducing transaction costs, incentivizing formal channels, and promoting digital transfer platforms. These steps have not only made it easier for overseas Pakistanis to send money home but also enhanced transparency and financial inclusion. Additionally, outreach programs and policy reforms have encouraged the diaspora to invest in Pakistan’s financial instruments and local enterprises.
PAGE: There is a debate that overseas Pakistanis cannot be a dependable pillar of long-term economic stability. Some alternative must be explored. What is your perspective?
Tara Uzra Dawood: While overseas Pakistanis are an important source of foreign exchange and timely household support, relying solely on remittances is not a sustainable strategy for long-term economic growth. True stability requires building a strong domestic economic base—through industrial diversification, skill development, and investment in innovation—while simultaneously creating avenues for diaspora investment in productive sectors rather than just consumption.
PAGE: There is little disagreement that remittances provide timely relief whereas exports bring sustainable growth. Do you concur?
Tara Uzra Dawood: Absolutely. Remittances are vital for immediate economic resilience, supporting household consumption and bridging liquidity gaps. However, sustainable and long-term growth is driven by a robust export-oriented economy. Export competitiveness, value-added manufacturing, and innovation are essential to create jobs, strengthen the trade balance, and build a resilient economic ecosystem.
PAGE: Lasting economic stability can emerge only from internal economic measures such as productive investment, export-led growth, agricultural modernisation, skills aligned with domestic industry and sound governance. What is your standpoint in this regard?
Tara Uzra Dawood: I fully concur. Lasting stability comes from nurturing domestic capacity: productive investment, export-led growth, modern agriculture, and a workforce equipped with relevant skills are critical. Equally important is good governance, transparency, and policy continuity to encourage entrepreneurship and attract investment. A holistic approach, combining internal structural reforms with diaspora support, is the most effective path to sustainable economic development in Pakistan.