KARACHI: Musadaq Zulqarnain, chief executive of Interloop Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest exporters, has outlined a short- and long-term roadmap to boost the country’s exports, identifying apparel and value-added garments as the most immediate drivers of growth.
In a post on X on Sunday, Zulqarnain said Pakistan already has the industrial base, operational expertise and market relationships in the segment, positioning it to scale exports relatively quickly.
“In the near term, apparel and value-added garments offer the most immediate pathway to scale exports,” he said, adding that eliminating policy irritants and ensuring a genuinely level playing field could enable the sector to deliver meaningful gains.
However, he cautioned that short-term expansion should not come at the expense of long-term capacity building.Zulqarnain called for diversification into other manufacturing domains through sustained investment in skill development, particularly for Pakistan’s growing youth population.
“The demographic dividend will only materialise if we equip our workforce with relevant, future-ready competencies — starting now to secure outcomes over the coming decade,” he said.
He also pointed to structural bottlenecks, particularly in the energy sector, as a constraint on industrial growth. A competitive and reliable energy supply, along with a predictable policy framework, is essential to catalyse sustained investment, he said.
Equally important is sending a clear and consistent signal that manufacturing is a national priority, encouraging both domestic and foreign investors to commit long-term capital to value-adding industries.Without these fundamentals, export-led growth will remain constrained, he added.
