ISLAMABAD – Finance Minister Muhammad Auganzeb said Pakistan’s growing renewable energy capacity, noting that solar generation has reached approximately 8,000 MW, which helped cushion the economy during recent external shocks.
He underscored the government’s ambition to significantly increase the share of renewables in the energy mix over the coming decade.
Muhammad Aurangzeb stated this during his participation in a high-level panel discussion at Harvard University on “Pakistan’s Economic Agenda: Stability, Reform and What Comes Next,” held as part of the Pakistan Conference 2026.
The session was moderated by Dr. Reza Baqir, former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, and featured distinguished panelists. The discussion brought together leading economists, policymakers, and members of the Pakistani diaspora to deliberate on Pakistan’s economic outlook, reform priorities, and long-term growth trajectory.
In his remarks, the finance minister described the ongoing Middle East conflict as one of the most significant supply shocks the global economy has witnessed in recent years, requiring careful and calibrated policy management. He highlighted that Pakistan’s immediate priority over the past several weeks had been to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies across critical sectors, despite limited strategic reserves, through coordinated efforts across key ministries and institutions.
He noted that the government initially introduced a blanket subsidy to cushion the public from rising energy costs, which has since transitioned into full price transmission supported by targeted subsidies, in line with available fiscal space. The finance minister emphasized that Pakistan has managed the situation relatively well compared to many countries, avoiding severe supply disruptions or law and order challenges.
On the external front, Senator Aurangzeb underscored the government’s strong debt management, noting that the recent Eurobond repayment was a “non-event,” and expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to meet upcoming external obligations in a timely manner.
Highlighting emerging opportunities amid the crisis, the Finance Minister pointed to a significant surge in transit flows through Karachi Port, which in just a few weeks exceeded the entire volume recorded in 2025, as well as progress toward operationalizing Gwadar Port. He also noted a record monthly inflow in March under the Roshan Digital Account initiative, indicating renewed confidence among overseas Pakistanis.
At the same time, the Finance Minister emphasized that remittances, while important, cannot serve as a sustainable long-term growth model, underscoring the need to focus on export-led growth and expansion in trade in services as more durable drivers of economic resilience.
Senator Aurangzeb candidly observed that Pakistan has long understood the “what” and “why” of economic reforms, but the core challenge lies in the “how” – particularly in ensuring timely decision-making and execution. He noted that delays in taking difficult but necessary decisions have historically undermined progress, contributing to recurring economic cycles and repeated reliance on IMF programmes.
The Finance Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to structural reforms, including improving tax administration, broadening the tax base, and increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, which has shown progress but remains below desired levels.
