President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Chairman of the National Business Group Pakistan, Chairman of the FPCCI Policy Advisory Board, and former Provincial IT Minister, Mian Zahid Hussain, has welcomed Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s launch of the Punjab Innovation for Value, Opportunity and Transformation (PIVOT) programme to promote industrial investment, value addition and exports. He said the programme, introduced in Lahore on October 30, was an important step towards expanding productive capacity, mobilising private investment and creating employment. Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth required investment that improved industrial competitiveness and strengthened the country’s capacity to earn foreign exchange.
Mian Zahid Hussain said the Punjab government’s programme for 2026–2029 envisaged total investment of approximately Rs1,995 billion, comprising Rs1,089 billion in public investment and an expected Rs906 billion from the private sector. He said attracting private investment would depend on policy continuity, timely approvals, essential infrastructure and investor confidence. Effective utilisation of public resources would expand industrial activity and create new opportunities for private capital.
Mian Zahid Hussain said the announcement of Rs753.7 billion for the industrial sector and Rs300 billion in concessional financing for industrial projects at interest rates ranging from zero to 5 percent was particularly important. Affordable capital would enable businesses to acquire modern machinery, increase production and improve the fulfilment of export orders. He proposed that clear details be issued regarding loan eligibility, interest rates, financing limits, collateral requirements, repayment periods and application approval procedures under the Strategic Trade Enhancement Programme (STEP). Progress on applications received, approvals granted and loans actually disbursed should also be made available online through the STEP portal. Access for small and medium-sized enterprises must be ensured so that the benefits of industrial development reach a wider range of businesses.
Mian Zahid Hussain said the allocation of Rs50 billion for solar energy and battery storage, together with another Rs50 billion for refunds of duties paid on machinery, would help reduce production costs and modernise industry. He said access to these facilities should be simple and transparent. Support should be assessed against potential energy savings, machinery efficiency and the economic viability of projects so that public assistance delivered lasting improvements in industrial competitiveness.
Mian Zahid Hussain said promoting common facilities, testing and certification for the garments, leather, footwear, sports goods, cutlery, fans and ceramics industries was important for export diversification. The proposed agro-processing parks in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar would strengthen linkages between farmers and industry. Improved processing, cold storage, packaging and quality testing would reduce agricultural losses and increase the value of farm produce. These projects must be aligned with buyers’ requirements and international standards.
Mian Zahid Hussain said the targets of $6.8 billion in additional exports and 162,000 new direct jobs were encouraging. Achieving them would require sector-specific targets, clear timelines and defined responsibilities for the institutions concerned. The baseline for measuring additional exports should also be specified to allow an accurate assessment of progress. He proposed quarterly reporting on public funds released, private investment actually realised, loans disbursed, operational industrial projects, additional exports and permanent employment. Updated information should be accessible online in real time to strengthen transparency and accountability.
Mian Zahid Hussain said cooperation between the federal and provincial governments could extend the benefits of such initiatives across the country. Opportunities should be provided to local suppliers, SMEs, young entrepreneurs, women-led businesses and industries in disadvantaged areas, while technical training should be linked with industry’s actual and emerging requirements. He further said timely financing, simpler business procedures and effective implementation could enable PIVOT to accelerate Punjab’s industrial activity, increase exports and create better economic opportunities for the public. He urged the Sindh government and other provincial governments to be inspired from the programme and introduce stronger initiatives for industrial modernisation and business development in their provinces.