Islamabad:Patron-in-Chief of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce (APJCC) and former president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, has expressed concern over the June 2026 trade statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics, says a press releas.
He urged the government to immediately implement measures such as reducing the policy interest rate, providing affordable energy to the industrial sector, ensuring the prompt payment of exporters’ tax refunds, and introducing business-friendly economic reforms to halt declining exports and the growing trade deficit.
In a statement, he said that the June 2026 figures, which show a significant decline in exports alongside a sharp increase in imports, are clear evidence that the country’s industrial sector is under severe pressure. He noted that expensive energy, high interest rates, heavy taxation, and uncompetitive production costs have seriously undermined the competitiveness of Pakistani products in international markets.
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari stated that the widening trade deficit is a serious warning sign for the national economy. He cautioned that if immediate corrective measures are not taken, it will place further pressure on the current account balance, foreign exchange reserves, and overall economic stability.He emphasized that the government must adopt a comprehensive export-oriented policy that prioritizes increased industrial production, value addition, and the promotion of investment.
